JP2001211295A - Image reading method and apparatus, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide an image reading method and apparatus capable of accurately grasping a dust / scratch area. SOLUTION: After focusing by a visible light image, a certain amount of optical path length is changed to take in infrared light, and a change in image magnification at that time is corrected to define a dust / scratch area. , And is controlled by the system controller 20.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading method and apparatus for reading an image of a transparent original such as a developed photographic film and a storage medium storing a control program for controlling the image reading apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional image reading apparatus (film scanner) of this type, a transmission original is generally illuminated from behind a transmission original such as a microfilm or a photographic film by an illumination optical system, and the transmitted light is transmitted to a projection optical system. The image information of the transparent original is electrically converted by projecting and forming an image on an image forming surface of the photoelectric conversion element through the photoelectric conversion element and performing photoelectric conversion by the photoelectric conversion element.

However, in such a conventional apparatus, dust adhering to the illumination optical system and the projection optical system, and scratches and
There is a problem that dust appears as black dots on the read image data, resulting in image deterioration.

FIG. 22 is a diagram schematically showing the influence of the above-mentioned dust and scratches on image data and an output image.
FIG. 2A shows a case where the transparent original is a reversal film, and FIG.
2B shows the case where the transparent original is a negative film.

In FIG. 22A, a reversal film image (positive image) of a subject is read by a scanner (film scanner) as an image reading device, and the read image signal is subjected to gamma correction to obtain a human Output as a visible positive image.

In FIG. 22B, an image of a negative film (negative image) obtained by photographing a subject is read by a scanner (film scanner) as an image reading device, and the read image signal is inverted, and then the gamma is obtained. The image is corrected (image processing) and output as a positive image visible to human eyes.

As shown in FIG. 22, regardless of whether the transparent original is a reversal film or a negative film, the transparent original is a scanner (film scanner) which is an image reading apparatus.
When converting to an image signal and reading it,
The scratches appear as black spots on the image signal and appear in the output image (positive image).

As a result, in the case of a reversal film,
As shown in FIG. 22A, the above-described image signal is directly subjected to image processing such as gamma correction and output to an output device such as a printer. ) Appear as sunspots.

On the other hand, in the case of a negative film, FIG.
As shown in (B), since the image signal read by the scanner is subtracted from the image signal read at the full level, the conversion from the negative image to the positive image is performed.
The influence of dust and scratches described above appears as white bright spots on the output image (positive image).

Therefore, paying attention to the transmittance characteristic of the transmissive original with respect to the infrared light, only dust and scratches which cause the above-described image deterioration are detected by the infrared light transmitted through the transmissive original, and the detection is performed. 2. Description of the Related Art An image reading apparatus (film scanner) for correcting image data read based on dust / scratch information has already been proposed.

Examples thereof are Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-97402 (hereinafter referred to as a first conventional example), Japanese Patent No. 2559970 (hereinafter referred to as a second conventional example), and Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-789.
No. 92 (hereinafter referred to as a third conventional example).

In the former first conventional example, data of a pixel recognized as dust / scratch is corrected by appropriately selecting image information around the pixel.

Further, in the latter second conventional example, not only image correction from image data around a pixel recognized as dust / scratch, but also infrared light data of an area of the pixel recognized as dust / scratch. Image correction is performed, and the plurality of image correction methods are selectively used according to the level of infrared light data.

Further, in the third conventional example, the optical path length can be changed when forming an image with each light in order to correct the position shift of the image forming surface due to the difference in wavelength between visible light and infrared light. I have.

[0015]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, when the optical path length is changed to correct the positional deviation of the image forming surface, the position of the transmission original surface to the optical system principal point and the optical system principal point are changed. ~ The relative ratio of the distance to the image plane changes,
There is a problem in that the image magnification differs between visible light and infrared light, and it is difficult to accurately determine the position of dust / scratch. Therefore, the correction of dust / scratch is inaccurate, and the quality of the image may be degraded by performing the correction processing.

Further, in the above-described conventional example, when the area of dust / scratch is grasped by infrared light, if the image data is taken in at the same resolution as that of scanning with visible light, the time and memory for taking in the image data are simply reduced. Doubled, and
Since a considerable amount of time and memory capacity are required for correcting image data, there is a problem in that operability for correcting dust and scratches is difficult.

Further, in the above-described conventional example, since the correction of dust and scratches on the transparent original is performed immediately in the system by the system controller, the progress cannot be recognized by the operator. This is not only because the operator sees the corrected image of the transparent original image with the dust / scratch and recognizes that it has been corrected, and the dust / scratch correction system is not universal in all cases. On the contrary, since the image may be degraded due to the correction, it is necessary for the operator to recognize this and determine the progress thereof in order to determine whether or not to correct the dust / scratch. However, in the conventional example, the operator cannot easily compare / recognize the effects of dust / scratch correction, and the final image should be the one before the dust / scratch correction, There is a problem that it is difficult to easily select the later one.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the above-described conventional technology, and a first object of the present invention is to accurately grasp the positions of dust and scratches. An image reading method and apparatus are provided.

A second object of the present invention is to accurately correct dust and scratches without complicating the circuit configuration and increasing the required memory capacity and processing time. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image reading method and apparatus as described above.

A third object of the present invention is to enable an operator to easily compare and recognize the effects of dust / scratch correction, and to obtain a finally obtained image for dust / scratch correction. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading method and an image reading apparatus capable of easily selecting before or after performing.

Further, a fourth object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a control program for controlling the above-described image reading apparatus of the present invention.

[0022]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading method for forming an image on a transparent document irradiated with visible light and infrared light. An image reading method for forming an image by a system and reading the image by a reading unit, the image forming optical system comprising: It is characterized by having.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading method according to the first aspect, wherein the transparent original is a developed photographic film. Features.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading method according to the first aspect, wherein the visible light image is read and the infrared light image is read. The method further comprises an optical path length changing step of changing an optical path length from the transparent original to the reading unit when reading the original.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading method according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the area requiring correction based on the infrared light image is used. Is determined.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading method according to the first aspect, wherein the visible light image is read with the red resolution. It is characterized by being higher than the reading resolution when reading an external light image.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading method according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the imaging optical system is configured to read the transparent original by the reading means. Is projected on the enlarged scale.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading method according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein: a storing step of storing an image read by the reading means; An operation step of comparing the stored contents of the storage step; a determining step of determining whether or not the image read by the reading unit is an area requiring correction; and a correction of correcting image data in the area requiring correction. Process and
It is characterized by having.

In order to achieve the first object, an image reading apparatus according to claim 8 of the present invention forms an image on a transmission original irradiated with visible light and infrared light by an imaging optical system. An image reading device for reading by the reading means,
The image forming apparatus further includes an image forming magnification correcting unit that corrects a difference between the image forming magnification of the visible light image and the image forming magnification of the infrared light image by the image forming optical system.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus according to the ninth aspect, wherein the transparent original is a developed photographic film. Features.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus for reading the visible light image and the infrared light image. And an optical path length changing unit for changing an optical path length from the transparent original to the reading unit when reading the document.

In order to achieve the first object, an image reading apparatus according to claim 11 of the present invention is the image reading apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the area which needs to be corrected based on the infrared light image. Is characterized by having a correction area determining means for determining

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the first object, in the image reading apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the reading resolution when reading the visible light image is the red. It is characterized by being higher than the reading resolution when reading an external light image.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, wherein the imaging optical system is configured to read the transparent original by the reading means. Is projected on the enlarged scale.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus according to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, further comprising: a storage unit for storing an image read by the reading unit; Calculating means for comparing and calculating the storage content of the storage means, and determining means for determining whether or not the image read by the reading means is an area requiring correction,
Correction means for correcting the image data in the area requiring the correction.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention forms an image on a transmission original irradiated with visible light and infrared light by an imaging optical system. A storage medium storing a control program for controlling an image reading device to be read by the reading means, and being readable by the information reading means, wherein the control program comprises: an imaging magnification of a visible light image by the imaging optical system; An image forming magnification correction module for correcting a difference in image forming magnification of an external light image is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading method comprising: irradiating a transparent original with visible light and infrared light; and reading an image on the transparent original by reading means. In the reading method, an infrared light image capturing step of capturing an infrared light image by changing an optical path length after focusing by a visible light image, and a change in image magnification when capturing the infrared light image. It is characterized by having an area determining step of determining an area that needs to be corrected by correction.

In order to achieve the first object, an image reading method according to claim 17 is the image reading method according to claim 16, wherein the optical path length is changed according to the reading resolution of the reading means. It is characterized by having a selection step of selecting whether or not.

In order to achieve the first object, an image reading method according to claim 18 is the image reading method according to claim 16, wherein the transparent original is a developed photographic film. I do.

In order to achieve the first object, the image reading apparatus according to the nineteenth aspect irradiates a transparent original with visible light and infrared light, and reads an image on the transparent original by reading means. In a reading device, an infrared light image capturing unit that captures an infrared light image by changing an optical path length after focusing with a visible light image, and a change in image magnification when capturing the infrared light image. It is characterized by having an area determining means for determining an area that needs to be corrected and corrected.

In order to achieve the first object, an image reading apparatus according to a twentieth aspect of the present invention is the image reading apparatus according to the nineteenth aspect, wherein the optical path length is changed according to the reading resolution of the reading means. It is characterized by having a selection means for selecting whether or not.

In order to achieve the first object, an image reading apparatus according to claim 21 is characterized in that in the image reading apparatus according to claim 20, the transparent original is a developed photographic film. I do.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading method, comprising: a light emitting step of emitting visible light and infrared light for irradiating a transparent original; An optical system that forms an image, an optical path length changing step of changing the optical path length of the optical system, a focusing step of performing a focusing operation using the optical path length changing step, and detecting light transmitted through the optical system. A light detection step, a storage step of storing the light detection result of the light detection step, an operation step of comparing and calculating the storage contents of the storage step, and whether the area needs correction based on the light detection result of the light detection step. And a correcting step of correcting image data in the area requiring correction, and setting the focused state by the focusing step when irradiating the transparent document with the visible light. The infrared light When illuminated is characterized by performing a predetermined amount by the optical path length changed by the optical path length changing step from the in-focus state.

In order to achieve the first object, the image reading method according to claim 23 is the image reading method according to claim 22, wherein the correction is performed by correcting a change in image magnification due to the change in the optical path length. Has an area determining step of determining a necessary area.

In order to achieve the first object, the image reading method according to claim 24 is the image reading method according to claim 23, wherein the area determining step includes the step of: The image information is changed by multiplying by a coefficient resulting from the change in the image magnification, and an area requiring the correction is determined.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading method according to the twenty-third aspect, the area determining step is performed based on a light detection result by the infrared light. Converting the determined area requiring correction into position information, correcting the area requiring correction by multiplying by a coefficient resulting from the change in the image magnification, and determining the area requiring correction. Features.

In order to achieve the first object, the image reading method according to claim 26 is the image reading method according to claim 22, wherein the optical path length is changed according to the reading resolution of the reading means. It is characterized by having a selection step of selecting whether or not to do so.

In order to achieve the first object, an image reading method according to claim 27 is characterized in that in the image reading method according to claim 22, the transparent original is a developed photographic film. I do.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus, comprising: a light emitting unit for emitting visible light and infrared light for irradiating a transparent original; and a light for transmitting the transparent original. An optical system that forms an image, an optical path length changing unit that changes the optical path length of the optical system, a focusing unit that performs a focusing operation using the optical path length changing unit, and detecting light transmitted through the optical system. Light detecting means, a storing means for storing the light detection result by the light detecting means, a calculating means for comparing and calculating the contents stored in the storing means, and an area which needs to be corrected from the light detecting result by the light detecting means. Determining means for determining whether or not the image data in the area requiring correction is corrected, and setting the focused state by the focusing means when irradiating the transparent document with the visible light. The infrared light When illuminated is characterized by performing a predetermined amount by the optical path length changed by the optical path length changing means from the in-focus state.

In order to achieve the first object, the image reading device according to claim 29 is the image reading device according to claim 28, wherein the correction is performed by correcting a change in image magnification due to the change in the optical path length. Is characterized by having a region determining means for determining a necessary region.

In order to achieve the first object, the image reading apparatus according to claim 30 is the image reading apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the area determining means determines the light detection result by the infrared light. The image information is changed by multiplying by a coefficient resulting from the change in the image magnification, and an area requiring the correction is determined.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the thirty-first aspect, the area determining means may be configured to perform the operation based on a light detection result by the infrared light. Converting the determined area requiring correction into position information, correcting the area requiring correction by multiplying by a coefficient resulting from the change in the image magnification, and determining the area requiring correction. Features.

In order to achieve the first object, an image reading apparatus according to claim 32 is the image reading apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the optical path length is changed according to the reading resolution of the reading means. It is characterized by having a selecting means for selecting whether or not to do so.

In order to achieve the first object, the image reading apparatus according to claim 33 is characterized in that in the image reading apparatus according to claim 28, the transparent original is a developed photographic film. I do.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading method comprising: irradiating a transparent original with visible light and infrared light; and reading an image of the transparent original by a reading unit. The method includes a reading resolution setting step of making a reading resolution by visible light and a reading resolution by infrared light different.

In order to achieve the second object, the image reading method according to claim 35 is the image reading method according to claim 34, wherein the reading resolution setting step includes the step of setting image data read by the visible light. The resolution of the image data read by the infrared light is set smaller than the resolution.

In order to achieve the second object, the image reading method according to claim 36 is the image reading method according to claim 34, wherein the reading resolution setting step includes the step of setting image data read by the visible light. It is characterized in that the set value of the resolution of the image data read by the infrared light is made variable according to the resolution.

In order to achieve the second object, the image reading method according to claim 37 is characterized in that in the image reading method according to claim 34, the transparent original is a developed photographic film. I do.

In order to achieve the second object, an image reading apparatus according to claim 38 irradiates a transparent original with visible light and infrared light, and reads an image of the transparent original by reading means. The apparatus is characterized by having a reading resolution setting means for making the reading resolution by visible light different from the reading resolution by infrared light.

In order to achieve the second object, the image reading apparatus according to claim 39 is the image reading apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the reading resolution setting means is configured to read the image data read by the visible light. The resolution of the image data read by the infrared light is set smaller than the resolution.

In order to achieve the second object, the image reading apparatus according to claim 40 is the image reading apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the reading resolution setting means is configured to read the image data read by the visible light. It is characterized in that the set value of the resolution of the image data read by the infrared light is made variable according to the resolution.

In order to achieve the second object, an image reading apparatus according to claim 41 is characterized in that, in the image reading apparatus according to claim 38, the transparent original is a developed photographic film. .

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading method, comprising: a light emitting step of emitting visible light and infrared light for irradiating a transparent original; A light detection step of detecting the light detection result, a storage step of storing the light detection result of the light detection step, an operation step of comparing and calculating the storage contents of the storage step, and a correction is necessary from the light detection result of the light detection step. A determination step of determining whether the area is an area; a correction step of correcting image data in the area requiring correction; and a reading resolution setting step of making the reading resolution by the visible light different from the reading resolution by the infrared light. And characterized in that:

In order to achieve the second object, the image reading method according to claim 43 is the image reading method according to claim 42, wherein the reading resolution setting step includes the step of setting image data read by the visible light. The resolution of the image data read by the infrared light is set smaller than the resolution.

In order to achieve the second object, the image reading method according to claim 44 is the image reading method according to claim 42, wherein the reading resolution setting step includes the step of setting the image data read by the visible light. It is characterized in that the set value of the resolution of the image data read by the infrared light is made variable according to the resolution.

In order to achieve the second object, an image reading method according to claim 45 is characterized in that in the image reading method according to claim 42, the transparent original is a developed photographic film. I do.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting visible light and infrared light for irradiating a transparent original; and a light for transmitting the transparent original. , A storage unit for storing a light detection result by the light detection unit, a calculation unit for comparing and calculating the storage contents of the storage unit, and a correction from the light detection result by the light detection unit is required. Determining means for determining whether the area is an area, correcting means for correcting image data in the area requiring correction, and reading resolution setting means for making the reading resolution by visible light different from the reading resolution by infrared light And characterized in that:

In order to achieve the second object, the image reading apparatus according to claim 47 is the image reading apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the reading resolution setting means is configured to read the image data read by the visible light. The resolution of the image data read by the infrared light is set smaller than the resolution.

In order to achieve the second object, the image reading apparatus according to claim 48 is the image reading apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the reading resolution setting means is configured to read the image data read by the visible light. It is characterized in that the set value of the resolution of the image data read by the infrared light is made variable according to the resolution.

In order to achieve the second object, the image reading apparatus according to claim 49 is characterized in that in the image reading apparatus according to claim 46, the transparent original is a developed photographic film. I do.

In order to achieve the third object, the image reading method according to claim 50 irradiates a transparent original with visible light and infrared light, reads the image of the transparent original with reading means, An image reading method for detecting a region of a correction target from image data by infrared light and correcting the detected correction target, comprising a display step of displaying images before and after the correction. .

In order to achieve the third object, an image reading method according to claim 51 is characterized in that in the image reading method according to claim 50, the display step has a plurality of display modes. I do.

In order to achieve the third object, the image reading method according to claim 52 is the image reading method according to claim 51, wherein the plurality of display modes are a sequential display mode and a simultaneous display mode. , Split display mode, and switching display mode.

In order to achieve the third object, an image reading method according to claim 53 is characterized in that in the image reading method according to claim 50, the transparent original is a developed photographic film. I do.

In order to achieve the third object, the image reading method according to claim 54 is characterized in that in the image reading method according to claim 50, the object to be corrected is dust. .

In order to achieve the third object, the image reading method according to claim 55 is characterized in that, in the image reading method according to claim 50, the object to be corrected is a flaw. .

In order to achieve the third object, the image reading apparatus according to claim 56 irradiates a transparent original with visible light and infrared light, reads the image of the transparent original by reading means, An image reading device that detects an area of a correction target from image data obtained by infrared light and corrects the detected correction target, the display having display means for displaying images before and after the correction. .

In order to achieve the third object, the image reading apparatus according to claim 57 is characterized in that in the image reading apparatus according to claim 56, the display means has a plurality of display modes. I do.

In order to achieve the third object, the image reading apparatus according to claim 58 is the image reading apparatus according to claim 57, wherein the plurality of display modes are a sequential display mode and a simultaneous display mode. , Split display mode, and switching display mode.

In order to achieve the third object, the image reading apparatus according to claim 59 is characterized in that in the image reading apparatus according to claim 56, the transparent original is a developed photographic film. I do.

In order to achieve the third object, the image reading apparatus according to claim 60 is characterized in that in the image reading apparatus according to claim 56, the object to be corrected is dust. .

In order to achieve the third object, the image reading apparatus according to claim 61 is characterized in that, in the image reading apparatus according to claim 56, the object to be corrected is a flaw. .

In order to achieve the third object, an image reading method according to claim 62, further comprising: a light emitting step of emitting visible light and infrared light for irradiating a transparent original; A light detection step of detecting a light detection result, a storage step of storing a light detection result by the light detection means, an operation step of comparing and calculating the storage contents of the storage step, and a correction required from the light detection result of the light detection step. A determining step of determining whether the area is an area, a correcting step of correcting image data in the area requiring correction, a first image before being corrected by the correcting step, and a first image corrected by the correcting step. And a display step of displaying the second image.

In order to achieve the third object, the image reading method according to claim 63 is the image reading method according to claim 62, wherein the displaying step includes displaying the first image first. After that, the second image is displayed.

In order to achieve the third object, the image reading method according to claim 64 is the image reading method according to claim 62, wherein the displaying step is performed immediately after the first image is captured. The first image is displayed, and the second image is displayed immediately after the image is corrected in the correction step.

In order to achieve the third object, an image reading method according to claim 65 is the image reading method according to claim 62, wherein the displaying step includes the step of: displaying the first image and the second image. And displaying the image simultaneously.

In order to achieve the third object, the image reading method according to claim 66 is the image reading method according to claim 62, wherein the displaying step includes the step of displaying the first image and the second image. It is characterized by being displayed so as to be switchable with an image.

In order to achieve the third object, the image reading method according to claim 67 is the image reading method according to claim 62, wherein the storing step includes the step of storing the first image and the second image. The image and the image are divided and stored.

In order to achieve the third object, the image reading method according to claim 68 is the image reading method according to claim 62, wherein the display step is divided and stored by the storage step. The first image and the second image are displayed by combining image data.

In order to achieve the third object, the image reading method according to claim 69 is characterized in that in the image reading method according to claim 62, the transparent original is a developed photographic film. I do.

In order to achieve the third object, an image reading apparatus according to claim 70, further comprising: a light emitting unit that emits visible light and infrared light for irradiating the transparent original; and a light that transmits the transparent original. An optical system for forming an image, a light detection unit for detecting light transmitted through the optical system, a storage unit for storing a light detection result by the light detection unit, and an arithmetic unit for comparing and calculating the storage contents of the storage unit Determining means for determining from the light detection result by the light detection means whether or not the area needs correction; correction means for correcting image data in the area requiring correction; correction by the correction means Display means for displaying the previous first image and the second image corrected by the correction means.

In order to achieve the third object, an image reading apparatus according to claim 71 is the image reading apparatus according to claim 70, wherein the display means displays the first image first. After that, the second image is displayed.

In order to achieve the third object, an image reading apparatus according to claim 72 is the image reading apparatus according to claim 70, wherein the display means is provided immediately after capturing the first image. Displaying the first image, and displaying the second image immediately after the image is corrected by the correction means.

In order to achieve the third object, an image reading apparatus according to claim 73 is the image reading apparatus according to claim 70, wherein the display means comprises the first image and the second image. And displaying the image simultaneously.

In order to achieve the third object, an image reading apparatus according to claim 74 is the image reading apparatus according to claim 70, wherein the display means comprises the first image and the second image. It is characterized by being displayed so as to be switchable with an image.

In order to achieve the third object, an image reading apparatus according to claim 75 is the image reading apparatus according to claim 70, wherein the storage means stores the first image and the second image. The image and the image are divided and stored.

In order to achieve the third object, an image reading apparatus according to claim 76 is the image reading apparatus according to claim 70, wherein the display means is divided and stored by the storage means. The first image and the second image are displayed by combining image data.

In order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 77 irradiates a transparent original with visible light and infrared light, and reads an image on the transparent original by reading means. A storage medium that stores a control program for controlling the apparatus and is readable by information reading means, wherein the control program changes a light path length after focusing on a visible light image and captures an infrared light image. It is characterized by having an external light image capturing module and an area determining module that corrects a change in image magnification when capturing the infrared light image and determines an area that needs to be corrected.

In order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 78 is the storage medium according to claim 77, wherein the control program is configured to control the optical path length in accordance with the reading resolution of the reading means. A selection module for selecting whether or not to change.

In order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 79 is characterized in that in the storage medium according to claim 77, the transparent original is a developed photographic film.

In order to achieve the fourth object, a storage medium according to claim 80 irradiates a transparent original with visible light and infrared light, and reads an image on the transparent original by reading means. A storage medium storing a control program for controlling the apparatus and readable by information reading means, the control program comprising: a light-emitting module that emits visible light and infrared light that irradiates a transparent original; An optical path length changing module that changes an optical path length of an optical system that forms an image of transmitted light, a focusing module that performs a focusing operation using the optical path length changing module, and light that detects light transmitted through the optical system. A detection module, a storage module that stores a light detection result obtained by the light detection module, and an operation module that performs a comparison operation on the storage content of the storage module. A judgment module for judging whether or not the area needs to be corrected from the light detection result by the light detection module, and a correction module for correcting image data in the area that needs to be corrected; When the light is irradiated, the focus state is set by the focusing module, and when the transmission document is irradiated with the infrared light, the optical path length is changed by a predetermined amount from the focused state by the optical path length changing module. It is characterized by the following.

In order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 81 is the storage medium according to claim 80, wherein the control program corrects a change in image magnification due to the change in the optical path length. And a region determination module for determining a region requiring the correction.

In order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 82 is the storage medium according to claim 81, wherein the area determination module is configured to include the image detection result in the light detection result by the infrared light. It is characterized in that image information is changed by multiplying by a coefficient resulting from a change in magnification, and an area requiring the correction is determined.

In order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 83 is the storage medium according to claim 81, wherein the area determination module is determined based on a light detection result by the infrared light. Converting the area requiring correction into position information, correcting the area requiring correction by multiplying by a coefficient resulting from the change in the image magnification, and determining the area requiring correction. I do.

In order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 84 is the storage medium according to claim 80, wherein the control program is configured so that the optical path length is adjusted according to the reading resolution of the reading means. A selection module for selecting whether or not to change.

In order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 85 is characterized in that in the storage medium according to claim 80, the transparent original is a developed photographic film.

In order to achieve the fourth object, a storage medium according to claim 86 is an image reading apparatus which irradiates a transparent original with visible light and infrared light and reads an image of the transparent original by reading means. A storage medium storing a control program to be controlled and readable by information reading means, wherein the control program has a reading resolution setting module for making a reading resolution by visible light different from a reading resolution by infrared light. Features.

In order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 87 is the storage medium according to claim 86, wherein the reading resolution setting module is configured to set a resolution higher than a resolution of the image data read by the visible light. The resolution of the image data read by the infrared light is set small.

In order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 88 is the storage medium according to claim 86, wherein the reading resolution setting module is configured to determine a resolution of the image data read by the visible light. And a setting value of a resolution of the image data read by the infrared light is variable.

In order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 89 is the storage medium according to claim 86, wherein the transparent original is a developed photographic film.

[0111] In order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 90 is an image reading apparatus for irradiating a transparent original with visible light and infrared light and reading an image on the transparent original by reading means. A storage medium storing a control program for controlling the light source and readable by an information reading means, the control program comprising: a light emitting module for emitting visible light and infrared light for irradiating a transparent original; A light detection module that detects light transmitted through the optical system that forms the formed light, a storage module that stores a light detection result obtained by the light detection module, and an operation module that compares and stores the content stored in the storage module,
A judgment module for judging whether or not the area needs correction from the light detection result by the light detection module; a correction module for correcting image data in the area requiring correction; a reading resolution by the visible light; A reading resolution setting module for making the reading resolution different from that of external light.

In order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 91 is the storage medium according to claim 90, wherein the reading resolution setting module has a resolution higher than the resolution of the image data read by the visible light. The resolution of the image data read by the infrared light is set small.

In order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 92 is the storage medium according to claim 90, wherein the reading resolution setting module is configured to control a resolution of image data read by the visible light. And a setting value of a resolution of the image data read by the infrared light is variable.

In order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 93 is characterized in that in the storage medium according to claim 90, the transparent original is a developed photographic film.

Further, in order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 94 is a storage medium according to claims 77 to 92 or 93.
The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is a floppy disk.

In order to achieve the fourth object, a storage medium according to claim 95 is provided according to claims 77 to 92 or 93.
The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is a hard disk.

In order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 96 is provided according to claims 77 to 92 or 93.
The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is an optical disk.

Further, in order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 97 is a storage medium according to claims 77 to 92 or 93.
The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is a magneto-optical disk.

Further, in order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 98 is a storage medium according to claims 77 to 92 or 93.
The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is a CD-RO.
M (Compact Disk Read Only)
Memory).

In order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 99 is provided according to claims 77 to 92 or 93.
The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is a CD-R.
(Compact Disk Recordable)
It is characterized by being.

Further, in order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 100 is the storage medium according to claims 77 to 92 or 9
3. The storage medium according to claim 3, wherein the storage medium is a magnetic tape.

Further, in order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 101 is the storage medium according to claims 77 to 92 or 9
3. The storage medium according to claim 3, wherein the storage medium is a nonvolatile memory card.

Further, in order to achieve the fourth object, the storage medium according to claim 102 is a storage medium according to claims 77 to 92 or 9
3. The storage medium according to claim 3, wherein the storage medium is a ROM.
(Read Only Memory) chip.

[0124]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

(First Embodiment) First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration provided with an image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment in a see-through state. is there. In both figures, S is an image reading apparatus (film scanner) according to the present embodiment, and 1 is a carriage that holds a transparent document holder (transparent document adapter) and the like. Reference numeral 2 denotes a transparent original such as a film, and 3 denotes a light source for irradiating the transparent original 2. 4 is an imaging lens, 5 is a line sensor (image sensor), 6 is a sub-scanning motor (M), which drives the carriage 1 in the sub-scanning direction. Reference numeral 7 denotes a carriage position detection sensor,
Is to detect the position of. Reference numeral 8 denotes a transmission original density sensor, 9 denotes an optical filter, and includes an infrared light cut filter 9a and a visible light cut filter 9b. Reference numeral 10 denotes a filter motor (M) for switching the optical filter 9 between an infrared light cut state and a visible light cut state. 1
Reference numeral 1 denotes a filter position detection sensor for detecting the position of the optical filter 9. 12 is a lighting circuit of the light source 3, 13
Is an analog processing circuit, 14 is an A (analog) / D (digital) conversion circuit, 15 is an image processing circuit, 16 is a line buffer, 17 is an interface, 18 is an external device such as a personal computer, 19 is D (digital) / A
(Analog) conversion circuit, 20 is a system controller,
21 is an offset RAM (random access memory),
Reference numeral 22 denotes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) bus.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 23 denotes a lens holder which holds the imaging lens 4. Reference numeral 24 denotes a mirror for bending the optical path, and reference numeral 25 denotes an outer casing of the image reading device S. By bending the optical path by the mirror 24, a more compact layout is possible. However, the mirror 24 may or may not be provided, or a plurality of mirrors may be provided. The mirror 24 is not shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, 26 is a focus motor (M), 27 is a focus position detection sensor, and 28 is a holding frame.

Next, the operation of the system that converts the image of the transparent original 2 into an electric signal using the image reading apparatus S according to the present embodiment configured as described above and takes it into the external device 18 will be described. .

The transparent original 2 is fixedly held on the carriage 1 by a transparent original holder (not shown) or the like, and is drivably connected to the sub-scanning motor 6 via a power transmission mechanism such as a speed reducer (not shown). . In this power transmission mechanism, the minimum feed pitch is appropriately set according to the reading resolution of the transparent original 2.

The light source 3 is constituted by a line-shaped fluorescent tube containing an inert gas such as xenon or mercury therein.
It is arranged substantially parallel to the main scanning direction of the line sensor 5. The light source 3 emits light having wavelengths corresponding to at least blue, green, and red. The light source 3, which is a fluorescent tube, is lit by a light source lighting circuit 12, which is a so-called inverter circuit.

The image forming lens 4 forms an image of the light emitted from the light source 3 onto the transmission original 2 on the line sensor 5. The imaging lens 4 and the line sensor 5 are integrally held by a holding frame 28, and the distance between the optical axes of the imaging lens 4 and the line sensor 5 is adjusted in advance. Therefore, the image of the transparent original 2 is formed on the line sensor 5 at a fixed magnification. In addition, the inclination of the transmissive original 2 and the line sensor 5 in the main scanning direction is also adjusted in advance to prevent the output image from being distorted. The holding frame 28 is drivably coupled to the focus motor 26, and the position thereof can be detected by the focus position detection sensor 27. The level of the luminance signal of the video signal from the line sensor 5 is monitored, and the focus motor 2 is controlled so that the value is maximized.
6 is driven to correct (change) the optical path length, so that the image of the transparent original 2 can be captured in the best focus (best focus) state.

To read a high-definition image, the image formed by the image forming lens 4 tends to be an enlarged image. For example, when reading the transparent original 2 at a resolution of 4000 dots / inch, the size of one pixel on the transparent original surface is 6.35.
Micron. On the other hand, the size of one pixel of the light receiving section of the line sensor 5 is usually about 8 microns. In this case, the image is magnified 1.26 times. Therefore, in order to increase the amount of received light by brightening the F-number of the imaging lens 4 in order to obtain a signal of a sufficient level with respect to noise generated by the line sensor and noise from the outside, it is necessary to use a transparent original. The depth of focus on the two sides becomes shallower. When the transmissive original 2 is a developed film, the flatness is often poor. Therefore, it is preferable to operate the focus mechanism so that the transmissive original 2 is positioned at the focal position. .

At this time, since the imaging lens 4 has axial chromatic aberration, the position where the best focus state can be obtained when the transparent original 2 is illuminated and read with visible light, and the position where it is illuminated with infrared light Often different. In the present invention, it is preferable to set the focus mechanism in advance so that the best focus position is obtained when illuminated with visible light.

Alternatively, in a document reading apparatus in which the resolution of the transparent document 2 may be low, an autofocus mechanism is not necessarily required, and the imaging lens 4 needs to move along the optical axis with respect to the transparent document 2. There is no. That is, it may be fixed at a position separated by a predetermined distance from the transparent original 2 in the optical axis direction. In this case, it is preferable to fix the distance so that the best focus state can be obtained when illuminating with visible light.

In any case, it is suitable for an image reading apparatus that the resolving power when reading using visible light is higher than the resolving power when reading using infrared light.

In the present embodiment, the line sensor 5
A three-line sensor having lines (RGB) is used. The three-line sensors are arranged in parallel with a certain distance between them. The image signal generated by the line sensor 5 is output to an A / D conversion circuit 14.
Is converted into a digital signal by the image processing circuit 15.
Is converted into image data by
The signal is added to the analog processing circuit 13 via the D / A conversion circuit 19, so that a stable black level signal can be obtained.

The image processing circuit 15 is constituted by a gate array or the like, and based on the digital image data converted by the A / D conversion circuit 14, digital AGC (automatic gain adjustment) processing, shading correction processing, gamma correction processing, color Data synthesis processing, resolution / magnification conversion processing, filter processing, masking processing, binarization / AE (auto exposure) processing, negative /
It performs various processes such as a positive inversion process and a mirror image process, and further outputs an operation clock of the line sensor 5 and a sample timing signal of the A / D conversion circuit 14.

In digital AGC processing, the dynamic range of each input color signal is adjusted. In the shading correction processing, non-uniformity such as the light amount of the light source 3, the transmittance of the imaging lens 4, and the sensitivity of the line sensor 5 is corrected. In the γ correction processing, the input gradation is converted into the output gradation while adjusting the contrast of the image. In the color data synthesizing process, the image data is temporarily stored in the offset RAM 21 in order to correct the above-described shift in the position interval between the light receiving units of the line sensor 5, and when the data is completed, the color data of one line is obtained. Output as In the resolution / magnification conversion processing, data thinning-out and addition processing are performed so as to be set by the conversion parameter input from the system controller 20. This is performed according to an instruction from the external device 18.

In the filter processing, main scanning interpolation processing, sub scanning interpolation processing, averaging processing, smoothing processing,
Processing such as edge processing is selectively performed according to gradation and resolution. In the masking process, unnecessary light from the light source 3 is corrected, and the process is performed by multiplying each color data by a correction coefficient so as to approach an ideal color characteristic. In the binarization / AE processing, in particular, the external device 1 is used by using green channel data.
The processing is performed in accordance with the instruction from 8. The slice level at this time is automatically set when the density of the transparent original 2 is detected. In the negative / positive reversal processing, when a negative film is set on the transparent original 2, the processing is performed according to an instruction from the system controller 20. This is constituted by, for example, an exclusive logic circuit. In the mirror image processing, the processing is performed by reading data written in the offset RAM 21 in reverse according to an instruction from the external device 18.

An offset RA is provided as a working area for performing the above-described image processing.
M21, which temporarily stores image data. The line buffer 16 is for temporarily storing image data that has been processed by the image processing circuit 15 as described above, and outputs image data to an external device 18 from an interface 17 such as a SCSI controller.

The system controller 20, image processing circuit 15, line buffer 16, interface 1
7. The offset RAM 21 is connected as shown in FIG. 1 by a CPU bus 22 composed of an address bus and a data bus. This allows data communication between the circuits.

In such a configuration, the image reading device S
User gives a command to the system controller 20 through the external device 18. The command from the user is transmitted to the system controller 20 via the interface 17.
Conveyed to. Specifically, the user command may include the type of the transparent document 2, the image reading range, the reading resolution, the main scan command, and whether or not to perform dust / scratch correction processing.
Based on these user commands and outputs from various detection circuits (sensors), electrical preparation and processing are performed in accordance with a flow appropriately programmed by the system controller 20.

Next, an operation of converting the image of the transparent original 2 into an electric signal will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the overall operation flow of the image reading apparatus S according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 4 to 6 are presses of the image reading apparatus S according to the present embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of a flow of each operation of a can sequence, a main scan sequence, and an eject sequence.

First, the main flow will be described with reference to FIG. Here, an external device 1 such as a personal computer
It is assumed that the power supply 8 has already been turned on.

In step S301, when the power of the image reading apparatus S is turned on, various initializations are performed by the system controller 20. This is, for example,
The memory check of the offset RAM 21, the drive check of the various motors 6 and 10, the black level correction, the shading correction, the initial setting of the SCSI controller, and the like are performed. Upon completion of the initialization in step S301, the process proceeds to the next step S302.

In step S302, the process enters a standby state of waiting for a command from the external device 18. This is because the standby state is released by the user inputting an operation command for the image reading apparatus S to be performed by the application of the external device 18, and the process proceeds to the next step S303.

In steps S303 to S308, it is determined what the command from the external device 18 is.

In the step S303, it is determined whether or not the command from the external device 18 is a pre-scan instruction. If it is determined that the command is a pre-scan instruction, the process proceeds to step S304. If it is determined that the command is not a pre-scan instruction, step S30 is performed.
Go to step 5.

In step S304, after performing the pre-scan sequence, the flow returns to step S302, and waits for a command reception again. The details of the prescan sequence in step S304 will be described later with reference to FIG.

In the step S305, it is determined whether or not the command from the external device 18 is a main scan instruction.
If it is determined that the command is a main scan instruction, the process proceeds to step S306. If it is determined that the command is not a main scan instruction, the process proceeds to step S307.

In step S306, after the main scan sequence is performed, the process returns to step S302, and waits for the reception of a command again. The details of the main scan sequence in step S306 will be described later with reference to FIG.

In the step S307, it is determined whether or not the command from the external device 18 is an ejection instruction.
If it is determined that the command is an eject instruction, the process proceeds to step S308. If it is determined that the command is not an eject instruction, the process proceeds to step S309.

In step S308, after the ejection sequence is performed, the process returns to step S302, and waits for the reception of a command again. The details of the ejection sequence in step S308 will be described later with reference to FIG.

In step S309, step S3
It is determined that a command (abnormal command) that cannot be detected in the command reception content check from step 03 to step S307 has been received, abnormal command processing is performed, and the process returns to step S302 to wait for command reception again.
In addition, as the abnormal command processing in step S309, for example, an abnormality warning is issued to the external device 18,
It is conceivable to notify the user of the abnormality by using a monitor or the like.

Next, various subroutines shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 will be described.

First, the prescan sequence will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S401, after the carriage 1 is moved to the initial position and waits, the next step S402
Proceed to. Here, the initial position of the carriage 1 refers to a start position when scanning the image of the transparent document 2, that is, a state in which any image end of the transparent document 2 or its vicinity is on the optical axis.

In step S402, the position of the filter 9 is detected by the filter position detecting sensor 11, and is read by the system controller 20. Then, the filter motor 10 is driven to dispose the infrared light cut filter 9a on the optical axis, and the infrared light cut filter 9a is moved on the optical axis. After finishing the process in step S402, the process proceeds to the next step S403.

In step S403, the system controller 20 drives the light source lighting circuit 12 to turn on the light source 3, and then proceeds to the next step S404.

In step S404, the sub-scanning motor 6 is driven to position the optical axis within the image range of the transmissive original 2 (for example, near the center of the transmissive original 2). The exposure is adjusted by adjusting the gain so that this value becomes an appropriate value. Then, after the transparent original 2 is moved to the initial position again, the process proceeds to the next step S405.

In step S 405, step S 4
The driving speed of the sub-scanning motor 6 at the time of the pre-scan is determined based on the processing result in 04. That is, when the light amount is extremely small and a sufficient light amount cannot be obtained only by adjusting the gain, the driving speed of the sub-scanning motor 6 is reduced. After the processing of step S405 ends, the next step S406
Proceed to.

In step S406, after the holding frame 28 is driven by the focus motor 26 to perform focus adjustment, the flow advances to the next step S407.

In step S407, a prescan operation using visible light for prescan is started. At this time, if the pre-scan range is specified by a command from the external device 18, the fact is set in the image processing circuit 15 and scanning is performed. Then, the created image data is stored in the offset RAM 21. After the processing in step S407 ends, the process advances to the next step S408.

In step S408, when a command is received from the external device 18 (step S30 in FIG. 3).
In 2), it is determined whether or not a command for performing dust / scratch correction processing has been received. If it is determined that an instruction to perform dust / scratch correction processing has been received, the process proceeds to step S409.
If it is determined that the instruction to perform the flaw correction processing has not been received, the process proceeds to step S415.

In step S409, the position of the filter 9 is detected by the filter position detecting sensor 11, and is read by the system controller 20. Then, the filter motor 10 is driven to dispose the visible light cut filter 9b on the optical axis, and the visible light cut filter 9b is moved on the optical axis. After finishing the process in step S409, the process proceeds to the next step S411.

In step S411, a prescan operation using infrared light for detecting dust / scratch on the transparent original 2 is started, and the flow advances to the next step S412.

In step S412, step S4
In step S413, the dust / scratch area information on the transparent document 2 defined in step S412 is converted into the dust / scratch area information in step S413. After the correction, the process proceeds to the next step S414.

In step S414, step S4
The image information in the dust / scratch area on the transparent original 2 determined in step 13 is corrected (corrected). Regarding this correction method, the example described in the section of the related art is conceivable. After the processing of step S414 ends, the next step S415
Proceed to.

In the step S415, the step S4
07 or the image information created in step S414 is output to the external device 18 via the interface 17. After the processing in step S415 ends, the flow advances to the next step S416.

In step S416, the light source 3 is turned off by the light source lighting circuit 12 according to an instruction from the system controller 20. After the processing in step S416 ends, the flow advances to the next step S417.

In step S417, when the input of the pre-scan image is completed, the driving pulses of the sub-scanning motor 6 and the line sensor 5 are stopped, and the transparent original 2 is again moved to the initial position to be in the standby state. End the operation.

With the above, the pre-scan sequence is completed.
Returning to the main routine of FIG. 3 again, the system enters a command reception standby state (step S302).

Next, the main scan sequence will be described with reference to FIG.

The main scan sequence shown in FIG.
This is basically the same as the pre-scan sequence of FIG. 4 described above, and in the case of the main scan sequence, the only difference is that the selection range of the image capturing resolution is widened.

That is, while step S407 in FIG. 4 is a pre-scan with visible light, step S507 in FIG. 5 is a main scan with visible light, and step S411 in FIG. 5 is different from the main scan in step S511 in FIG. 5 in that the main scan is performed using infrared light. However, steps S501 to S505 and step S50 in FIG.
7 to step S509, step S512 to step S
517 corresponds to steps S401 to S401 in FIG.
405, Steps S407 to S409, and Steps S412 to S417 are the same as those described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the ejection sequence will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S601, the sub-scanning motor 6 is driven to move the carriage 1 to the eject position.
This processing operation ends.

The ejection sequence is completed as described above, and the flow returns to the main routine of FIG. 3 again to enter a command reception standby state (step S302).

Next, step S413 in FIG.
A method for correcting dust / scratch area information performed in step S513 in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the visible light image is focused by driving the focus motor 26 to change the optical path length.
The same reference numerals are given to the same parts.

In FIG. 7, the best focus position of the infrared light image is longer than that of the visible light image by l. The position of the transmission original 2 in the optical axis direction is substantially constant, and the imaging lens 4 can be manufactured at a relatively low cost while maintaining the imaging performance close to the design value. Accordingly, the imaging magnification β with visible light and the imaging magnification β ′ with infrared light can be known in advance by calculation. As a result, the magnification change rate “β ′ / β” can be uniquely determined,
The area of dust / scratch can be accurately grasped according to this ratio.

FIG. 8 shows this state. FIG. 8A shows an image captured by visible light, and FIG. 8B shows dust and scratches detected by infrared light according to the present embodiment. FIG. 14C shows an image obtained by multiplying the image shown in FIG. 14B by the coefficient “β ′ / β” to correct the dust / scratch area. In FIG. 3C, the dotted line is the same as FIG.
, The solid line is the corrected image.

The visible light image shown in FIG.
(B) is an image smaller by the reciprocal of the coefficient “β ′ / β”. Therefore, the infrared light image is multiplied by the coefficient “β ′ / β” with the image center O as the center. Figure 8
The image is expanded to the image shown by the solid line in (c). This makes it possible to correct the position of the dust / scratch in the infrared light image at the same position as the dust / scratch area of the original image.

As another method, the position of dust / scratch in the infrared light image is grasped as coordinate information with the center O of the image as the origin, and multiplied by the coefficient “β ′ / β”. The position of the scratch can be corrected.

Further, in the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized when the computer as reading means reads and executes the control program stored in the storage medium. Although
The present invention is not limited to this, and O operating on a computer based on instructions of the control program is described.
It goes without saying that a case where some or all of the actual processing such as S (operating system) is performed and the functions of the present embodiment described above are realized by the processing is also included.

As a storage medium for storing the control program, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM (Co-ROM)
mpact Disk Read Only Memo
ry), CD-R (Compact Disk Rec)
order, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM chip, or the like.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the system configuration including the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1 of the first embodiment, and the main flow of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is described above. It is the same as FIG. 3 of the first embodiment, and
The subroutine at the time of ejection of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 6 of the above-described first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 9 shows a subroutine for prescanning of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment.
Is a subroutine at the time of the main scan. 9 and 1
0 is different from FIG. 4 of the first embodiment described above in that steps S410 and S510 are respectively added. Step S410 and step S
At 510, the focus motor 26 is driven, and the holding frame 2 is moved.
8 is moved in the optical axis direction to change the optical path length. Since the wavelength of the change amount can be known in advance by the characteristics of the light source 3 to be used and the infrared light cut filter 9a and the visible light cut filter 9b, the difference between the focus position of the visible light image and the focus position of the infrared light image is shifted. Amount. After the process of step S410 ends, the next step S411 and step S5
Proceed to 11 respectively. After that, the processing described in the above-described first embodiment is performed to correct an image having dust and scratches.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state where the focus motor 26 is driven to change the optical path length, so that the state where the visible light image is focused is changed to the state where the infrared image is focused. In the figure, the visible light beam is shown in practice, and the infrared light beam is shown by a dotted line.

In the figures, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 11A shows a state in which the visible light image is in focus, and the best focus position of the infrared light image is longer than that of the visible light image by l.
FIG. 11B shows a state in which the holding frame 28 is moved from the state of FIG. 11A and the infrared light image is focused.

Since the position of the transmission original 2 in the optical axis direction is substantially constant, the moving direction and the moving amount of the holding frame 28 in this case are also substantially constant. It is possible to easily obtain an infrared light image that matches.

Here, the magnification β is the distance a from the subject (film surface: the surface of the transparent original 2) to the position of the principal point 4a of the imaging lens 4 and the distance b from the position of the principal point 4a of the imaging lens 4 to the focus plane. And b / a. In the present embodiment, the imaging lens 4 and the line sensor 5 are integrally held by the holding frame 28, and the distance b is constant. Therefore, when the optical path length is changed, the above-described distance a changes, and becomes a ′. Here, since a 'is a fixed value, the magnification β' of the infrared light image can be uniquely defined as b / a '.

That is, the change rate of the magnification between the visible light image and the infrared light image is β ′ / β = a / a ′. Therefore, by correcting the position of the dust / scratch according to this ratio, the dust -It is possible to accurately grasp the area of the wound.

Since the other configurations and operations in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment,
The description is omitted.

(Third Embodiment) Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the system configuration including the image reading device according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the configuration of the image reading device according to the present embodiment is the same as that described above. The main flow of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, and is the same as that of FIG. 3 of the above-described first embodiment. The subroutine at the time of prescanning of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 9 of the second embodiment described above, and the subroutine at the time of ejection of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is the first subroutine described above. Since this embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 6 of the embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 12 shows a subroutine at the time of main scanning of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, which differs from FIG. 10 of the second embodiment described above in FIG.
That is, the process of step 910 is added to 0.

Here, step S901 in FIG.
To step S909, steps S911 to S9
18 corresponds to steps S501 to S517 in FIG.
Therefore, the description thereof will be omitted, and only the processing steps unique to the present embodiment will be described.

In the above-described first embodiment, the optical path length shift (optical path length change) is always performed when an image is captured by infrared light.
However, in this embodiment, the optical path length shift is not performed when the scan resolution is equal to or less than a certain value. This is because, when the scan resolution is coarse, errors in the dust / scratch area due to the difference in magnification do not affect the dust / scratch correction.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, step S9
After moving the visible light cut filter 9b on the optical axis in step 09, a scan resolution threshold is provided in advance in step S910, and it is determined whether the scan resolution is equal to or greater than the threshold. If it is determined that the scan resolution is equal to or greater than the threshold, the process proceeds to step S911 to change the optical path length, and then to step S912. If it is determined that the scan resolution is not equal to or greater than the threshold, the optical path length is changed. The process proceeds to step S912 without performing the main scan in step S912.

Thereafter, the processing shown in the above-described first embodiment is performed to correct an image having dust and scratches.

Note that other configurations and operations in the present embodiment are the same as those in the above-described second embodiment.
The description is omitted.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

Since the internal structure of the image reading apparatus according to this embodiment is the same as that in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, the description will be made with reference to FIG. Further, the main flow of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 3 of the above-described first embodiment.
The subroutine at the time of ejection of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 6 of the above-described first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a system configuration provided with an image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 13, the same parts as those in FIG. It is attached. 13 differs from FIG. 1 in that the focus motor 26, focus position sensor 27, and holding frame 28 are deleted from the configuration in FIG.

Next, the operation of the system that converts the image of the transparent original 2 into an electric signal using the image reading apparatus S according to the present embodiment configured as described above and takes it into the external device 18 will be described. .

The transparent original 2 is fixedly held on the carriage 1 by a transparent original holder (not shown) or the like, and is drivably coupled to the sub-scanning motor 6 via a power transmission mechanism such as a speed reducer (not shown). . In this power transmission mechanism, the minimum feed pitch is appropriately set according to the reading resolution of the transparent original 2.

The light source 3 is constituted by a line-shaped fluorescent tube containing an inert gas such as xenon or mercury therein.
It is arranged substantially parallel to the main scanning direction of the line sensor 5. The light source 3 emits light having wavelengths corresponding to at least blue, green, and red. The light source 3, which is a fluorescent tube, is lit by a light source lighting circuit 12, which is a so-called inverter circuit.

The image forming lens 4 forms an image of the light emitted from the light source 3 onto the transmission original 2 on the line sensor 5. The distance between the optical axes of the imaging lens 4 and the line sensor 5 is adjusted in advance, so that the image of the transmission original 2 is formed on the line sensor 5 at a constant magnification. Also, the inclination of the transmissive original 2 and the line sensor 5 in the main scanning direction is adjusted in advance so that the output image is not distorted. When the position of the transmission original 2 in the optical axis direction is different for each adapter, or when the position is not accurately determined, or when the depth of focus of the imaging lens 4 is shallow, the imaging lens 4 is guided in the optical axis direction. Then, a focus adjustment system using a motor or the like may be configured. In the present embodiment, this focus adjustment system is omitted.

In the present embodiment, the line sensor 5 has 3
A three-line sensor having lines (RGB) is used. The three-line sensors are arranged in parallel with a certain distance between them. The image signal generated by the line sensor 5 is output to an A / D conversion circuit 14.
Is converted into a digital signal by the image processing circuit 15.
Is converted into image data by
The signal is added to the analog processing circuit 13 via the D / A conversion circuit 19, so that a stable black level signal can be obtained.

The image processing circuit 15 is constituted by a gate array or the like, and based on digital image data converted by the A / D conversion circuit 14, digital AGC (automatic gain adjustment) processing, shading correction processing, gamma correction processing, color Data synthesis processing, resolution / magnification conversion processing, filter processing, masking processing, binarization / AE (auto exposure) processing, negative /
It performs various processes such as a positive inversion process and a mirror image process, and further outputs an operation clock of the line sensor 5 and a sample timing signal of the A / D conversion circuit 14.

In digital AGC processing, the dynamic range of each input color signal is adjusted. In the shading correction processing, non-uniformity such as the light amount of the light source 3, the transmittance of the imaging lens 4, and the sensitivity of the line sensor 5 is corrected. In the γ correction processing, the input gradation is converted into the output gradation while adjusting the contrast of the image. In the color data synthesizing process, the image data is temporarily stored in the offset RAM 21 in order to correct the above-described shift in the position interval between the light receiving units of the line sensor 5, and when the data is completed, the color data of one line is obtained. Output as In the resolution / magnification conversion processing, data thinning-out and addition processing are performed so as to be set by the conversion parameter input from the system controller 20. This is performed according to an instruction from the external device 18.

In the filter processing, main scanning interpolation processing, sub-scanning interpolation processing, averaging processing, smoothing processing,
Various processes such as an edge portion process are selectively performed according to gradation and resolution. In the masking process, unnecessary light from the light source 3 is corrected, and the process is performed by multiplying each color data by a correction coefficient so as to approach an ideal color characteristic. Binarization / AE
In the processing, processing is performed in accordance with a command from the external device 18 using data of the green channel. In the negative / positive reversal process, when a negative film is set as the transparent original 2, the process is performed according to an instruction from the system controller 20. This is constituted by, for example, an exclusive logic circuit. In the mirror image processing, the processing is performed by reading data written in the offset RAM 21 in reverse according to an instruction from the external device 18.

An offset RA is provided as a working area for performing the above-described image processing.
M21, which temporarily stores image data. The line buffer 16 is for temporarily storing image data that has been processed by the image processing circuit 15 as described above, and outputs image data to an external device 18 from an interface 17 such as a SCSI controller.

As described above, the system controller 20, image processing circuit 15, line buffer 16, interface 1
7. The offset RAM 21 is connected as shown in FIG. 10 by a CPU bus 22 composed of an address bus and a data bus. This allows data communication between the circuits.

In such a configuration, the image reading device S
User gives a command to the system controller 20 through the external device 18. The command from the user is transmitted to the system controller 20 via the interface 17.
Conveyed to. Specifically, the user command may include the type of the transparent document 2, the image reading range, the reading resolution, the main scan command, and whether or not to perform dust / scratch correction processing.
Based on these user commands and outputs from various detection circuits (sensors), electrical preparation and processing are performed in accordance with a flow appropriately programmed by the system controller 20.

Next, the operation of converting the image of the transparent original 2 into an electric signal will be described with reference to FIGS.

Note that the main routine of the overall operation flow of the image reading apparatus S according to the present embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 3 of the above-described first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are flowcharts showing subroutines of the flow of each operation of the prescan sequence and the main scan sequence of the image reading apparatus S according to the present embodiment.

First, the prescan sequence will be described with reference to FIG.

Note that steps S1101 to S1101 in FIG.
Steps S1108 and S1112 to S1116 correspond to steps S401 to S405 and steps S407 to S407 in FIG. 9 of the second embodiment described above.
Step S409 and step S412, step S4
Since the processing is the same as that of step S417 to step S417, the description thereof is omitted, and only the processing steps unique to the present embodiment will be described.

That is, in step S1109, when a command is received from the external device 18 (step S302 in FIG. 3).
The pre-scan resolution received is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the scan resolution is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. If it is determined that the scan resolution is equal to or smaller than the threshold, the process proceeds to step S1110, and if it is determined that the scan resolution is equal to or greater than the threshold, the process proceeds to step S1111.

In step S1110, a scanning operation for detecting dust / scratch is started. Here, since the scan resolution is smaller than the threshold value in step S1109, infrared light scanning is performed at a predetermined low resolution. At this time, if the pre-scan range is specified by a command from the external device 18 as in step S1106, the image processing circuit 15 is set to that effect and scanning is performed.

At step S1111, a scanning operation for detecting dust / scratch is started. Here, since the scan resolution is larger than the threshold value in step S1109, the infrared light scan is performed at the same resolution as the visible light resolution. At this time, if the pre-scan range is specified by a command from the external device 18 as in step S1106, the image processing circuit 15 is set to that effect and scanning is performed.

After the processing of step S1110 or step S1111 is completed, any
Then, the process proceeds to step 112, where the area information of the dust / scratch on the fluoroscopic original 2 is created based on the image information by the infrared light taken in step S1110 or step S1111. The subsequent steps S1113 to S1116 are the same as steps S414 to S417 in FIG.

Next, the image reading apparatus S according to the present embodiment will be described.
The main scan sequence will be described with reference to FIG. The main scan sequence shown in FIG.
4 is basically the same as the pre-scan sequence shown in FIG. 4, and in the case of the main scan, the only difference is that the selection range of the image capture resolution is widened.

Further, the image reading apparatus S according to the present embodiment
Is the same as that in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment described above, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Although the present embodiment has been described with respect to an example in which the scan resolution of infrared light is changed according to the scan resolution of visible light, the present invention is not limited to this. When the resolution is higher than the threshold, the infrared light scan may be performed at a predetermined resolution.Also, not only one threshold but also a plurality of visible light scan resolutions may be prepared. The infrared light scan resolution may be selected by a table in the system controller 20 so as to determine the resolution.

Further, when the visible light scan resolution is higher than the threshold, infrared light scan is performed at a predetermined resolution. When the visible light scan resolution is lower than the threshold, the infrared light scan is performed at the same resolution as the visible light resolution. May be used for infrared light scanning.

(Fifth Embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The configuration of a system including the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the above-described fourth embodiment shown in FIG. The see-through state of the configuration is the same as that of FIG. 2 of the above-described first embodiment. Further, the main flow of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 3 of the above-described first embodiment, and a subroutine for ejecting the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is as follows. Since this is the same as FIG. 6 of the first embodiment described above, the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a subroutine at the time of main scanning of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment. 15 differs from FIG. 15 in that the branch shown in steps S1209 to S1211 in FIG. 15 is deleted, and an infrared light scan is simply performed at a predetermined resolution as step S1309. It is. Thereby, the sequence flow is simplified, and the processing time is further reduced.

In FIG. 15, the method of creating the dust / scratch area information shown in step S 1212 is defined as the dust / scratch area in FIG. 16. That is, a wider area is defined as a dust / scratch area.

As a result, it is possible to eliminate the ambiguity of dust / scratch area determination by performing infrared light scanning at a resolution lower than that of scanning with visible light, and to reliably correct dust / scratch. Also, by using the same flow in the pre-scan, the contents are simplified while dust and scratches are accurately corrected.

(Sixth Embodiment) Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The configuration of the system having the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the above-described fourth embodiment shown in FIG. The see-through state of the configuration is the same as that of FIG. 2 of the above-described first embodiment. Further, the main flow of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 3 of the above-described first embodiment, and a subroutine for ejecting the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is as follows. Since this is the same as FIG. 6 of the first embodiment described above, the description thereof is omitted.

The prescan sequence of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
Steps S1401 to S140 in FIG.
6. Steps S1408, S1409, S1411-S1415 are the same as steps S1101-S110 of the above-described fourth embodiment.
6, Step S1107, Step S1108, Step S1112-Step S1116
A description thereof will be omitted, and only processing steps unique to the present embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 17, in step S 1407, the image data obtained in step S 1406 is output to the external device 18 via the interface 17 (image information output), and a monitor (display means) provided in the external device 18 is provided. Type.

In step S1410, a scanning operation using infrared light for detecting dust / scratch is started. At this time, similarly to step S1406, the external device 18
If the pre-scan range has been designated by the command from, the fact is set in the image processing circuit 15 and scanning is performed. Then, the image data obtained by the scanning is stored in the offset RAM 21. Subsequent steps S1
The processing of 411 to step S1415 is the same as the processing of step S1112 to step S1116 in FIG.

Next, the image reading apparatus S according to the present embodiment will be described.
The main scan sequence will be described with reference to FIG. The main scan sequence shown in FIG.
7 is basically the same as the pre-scan sequence shown in FIG. 7, and in the case of the main scan, the only difference is that the selection range of the image capturing resolution is widened.

Further, the image reading apparatus S according to the present embodiment
Is the same as that in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment described above, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, according to the image reading apparatus S of the present embodiment, the image before correction of dust / scratch is displayed on the monitor, and after the operator recognizes the image, the dust / scratch is removed. The image after the correction is displayed on the monitor, so that the operator can easily confirm the effect of correcting the dust / scratch.

(Seventh Embodiment) Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The configuration of a system having the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the above-described fourth embodiment shown in FIG. The see-through state of the configuration is the same as that of FIG. 2 of the above-described first embodiment. Further, the main flow of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment shown in FIG.

A main scan sequence of the image reading apparatus S according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The difference between FIG. 19 and FIG. 18 of the fifth embodiment described above is that step S1507 is deleted from FIG. 18 and the scan image using visible light and the scan image using infrared light are simultaneously stored in the offset RAM 21. Later, the data is output to the external device 18 via the interface 17.

Therefore, the fifth embodiment is different from the fifth embodiment in that image data of visible light and infrared light is simultaneously output to the external device 18. In this method, the offset RAM 2
1 must be large, but the simultaneous output has the following advantages.

For example, when the dust / scratch is corrected in step S1611 in FIG. 19 and the corrected (corrected) image is output in the next step S1612, the dust / scratch region image is Images before and after the correction of the flaw are output, and for the image other than the area of dust / flaw, only the scanned image by visible light is output.

FIG. 20 shows this state. FIG.
0 (a) is a scan image by visible light, and dust / scratch 1702 is placed on the image 1701 of the transparent original 2. In step S1612 in FIG. 19, this image data is used to generate a visible light image other than the dust / scratch area shown in FIG.
The visible light image of the dust / scratch area shown in FIG.
The image is divided into a correction (correction) image of the dust / scratch area shown in FIG.

Generally, the dust / scratch area has only a very small area with respect to the entire transparent original 2, so that the image data output to the external device 18 is 2
It is not enough for one image, and only one image data is required. As a result, the amount of transfer data is greatly reduced, and the transfer time is also reduced.

Further, by combining the transferred image data by software (application) in the external device 18, images before and after the correction of dust / scratch can be sequentially displayed on the monitor.

The processing in each of the other steps in FIG. 19 is the same as that in FIG. 18, and the description thereof is omitted.

(Eighth Embodiment) Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

It should be noted that the configuration of a system having the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. The see-through state of the configuration is the same as that of FIG. 2 of the above-described first embodiment. Further, the main flow of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment shown in FIG. Further, the main scan sequence of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is basically the same as that of FIG. 18 of the above-described sixth embodiment.

In the present embodiment, a method of displaying images before and after the correction of dust / scratch on a monitor attached to the external device 18 will be described. The configuration and flow from processing the image to display the image before and after the dust / scratch correction on the monitor attached to the external device 18 to outputting the image to the external device 18 are the same as those in the sixth and seventh embodiments described above. Same as the form.

FIG. 21 shows a state of an image of the transparent original 2 displayed on a monitor (display means) 18 a attached to the external device 18.

First, in FIG. 21A, for example, FIG.
The visible light image output in step S1507 is input by the external device 18 and immediately displayed on the monitor 18a. Therefore, the image 1801 of the transparent original 2 and the dust / scratch 1802 are also displayed on the monitor 18a (FIG. 21A-1). Thereafter, step S1 in FIG.
This image is displayed on the monitor 18a during the processing after step 509. Then, step S1 in FIG.
When the image in which dust and scratches have been corrected is input to the external device 18 in 513, the corrected image is also displayed on the monitor 18a (FIG. 21A-2).

As a result, the operator can recognize how dust / scratch is corrected.

Next, FIG. 21B shows a state in which images before and after the correction of dust / scratch are displayed in a divided manner on the monitor 18a. In FIG. 21B, the image before correction of dust / scratch is displayed on the left side, and the image after correction of dust / scratch is displayed on the right side. According to the fifth embodiment, the image input in step S1507 in FIG. 18 is first displayed on the left side, and the right side is a screen indicating that a blackout state or the like is being processed. ing. Next, when an image after dust / scratch correction is input in step S1513 in FIG. 18, the image is displayed on the right side. Thus, the operator can simultaneously recognize the images before and after the correction of dust / scratch, and can easily compare the two images.

Further, in FIG. 21 (c), the image “FIG. 21 (c) -1” before dust / scratch correction and the image “FIG. 21 (c) -2” after dust / scratch correction are operated. When a user gives an instruction using an input device (not shown) attached to the external device 18, each image display can be switched. Thus, the operator can simultaneously recognize the images before and after the correction of dust / scratch, and can easily compare the two images.

As described above, the operator can easily recognize and compare the effect of dust / scratch correction. If it is possible to select whether or not to record the image, if the result of dust / scratch correction is unsatisfactory and you want to record an image without dust / scratch correction, or correct the dust / scratch directly When an image is to be recorded, it is possible to respond immediately.

[0263]

As described in detail above, claim 1 of the present invention
The image reading method according to any one of claims 9 to 12,
According to the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the difference in the imaging magnification between the visible light image and the infrared light image is corrected. The effect is that it is possible.

The image reading method according to claims 16 to 18 and 22 to 27 of the present invention and the image reading method according to claims 19 to 21,
According to the image reading device of the present invention, when determining an area requiring correction, focus adjustment is performed in advance when scanning with visible light, and focus position in scanning with visible light when scanning with infrared light. Since the optical path length is offset (changed) from the above, and the displacement of the area that needs to be corrected due to the change in magnification has been corrected, it is possible to accurately grasp the area that needs to be corrected due to dust and scratches. Play.

The image reading method according to claims 34 to 37 and claims 42 to 45 of the present invention and claims 38 to 41,
According to the image reading apparatus of the present invention, since the scanning resolution by visible light and the scanning resolution by infrared light are made different, the circuit configuration is not complicated, and the memory capacity and the processing time are increased. Thus, it is possible to perform accurate dust / scratch correction without causing the problem.

The image reading method according to claims 50 to 55 and claims 62 to 69 of the present invention and claims 56 to 61,
According to the image reading apparatus of claims 70 to 76, images before and after correction of dust and scratches on the transparent document can be displayed, so that the operator can easily correct the effects of dust and scratches. Can be compared / recognized, and it is possible to easily select whether the finally obtained image is an image before correction of dust or scratches or an image after correction. To play.

Further, according to the storage medium of the present invention, there is an effect that the above-described image reading apparatus of the present invention can be smoothly controlled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration including an image reading device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a see-through state.

FIG. 3 is a main flowchart showing a flow of an entire operation of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a subroutine showing a flow of an operation at the time of pre-scanning of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a subroutine showing a flow of an operation at the time of a main scan of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a subroutine showing a flow of an operation at the time of ejection of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state where an optical path is changed from a focused state of visible light to a focused state of infrared light in the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state when a dust / scratch area is detected in the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation at the time of pre-scanning of the image reading apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation at the time of a main scan of the image reading apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state where an optical path is changed from a focused state of visible light to a focused state of infrared light in the image reading apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a subroutine showing a flow of an operation at the time of a main scan of the image reading apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration including an image reading device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a subroutine showing a flow of an operation at the time of pre-scanning of the image reading apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a subroutine showing a flow of an operation at the time of a main scan of the image reading apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a subroutine showing a flow of an operation at the time of a main scan of the image reading apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a subroutine showing a flow of an operation at the time of pre-scanning of the image reading apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a subroutine showing a flow of an operation at the time of a main scan of the image reading apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a subroutine showing a flow of an operation at the time of a main scan of the image reading apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating output data to an external device of the image reading apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a state where images before and after dust / scratch correction are displayed on a monitor by the image reading apparatus according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram illustrating the influence of dust and scratches on a conventional image reading apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 S Image Reading Device (Film Scanner) 1 Carriage 2 Transparent Document (Film) 3 Light Source (Lamp) 4 Imaging Lens 5 Line Sensor (Imaging Element) 6 Sub Scanning Motor (M) 7 Carriage Position Detection Sensor 8 Transparent Document Density Sensor 9 Optical filter 9a Infrared light cut filter 9b Visible light cut filter 10 Filter motor (M) 11 Filter position detection sensor 12 Lighting circuit 13 Analog processing circuit 14 A (analog) / D (digital) conversion circuit 15 Image processing circuit 16 lines Buffer 17 interface 18 external device 19 D (digital) / A (analog) conversion circuit 20 system controller 21 offset RAM (random access memory) 22 CPU (central processing unit) bus 23 lens holder 24 mirror 25 exterior housing 2 Focus motor 27 focus position sensor 28 holding frame

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission Date] May 11, 2000 (2000.5.1)
1)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name]

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 11 shows how the focus motor 26 is driven.
The optical path length to focus on the visible light image.
From the focused state to the focused state in the infrared image
FIG.line
, The infrared rays are indicated by dotted lines.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] FIG.

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 11

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page F-term (reference) 2H107 AA06 CA03 5B047 AA05 BC05 BC11 BC14 CA11 CA17 CA19 CB10 CB21 5C062 AA05 AB03 AB17 AB42 AC02 AC07 AC08 AC21 AC22 AC58 5C072 AA01 BA04 BA09 CA02 CA11 RA06 RA11 RA20 VA03 MP10 MP10 PP20 PP43 PQ22 SS01

Claims (102)

[Claims] 1. An image reading method comprising: forming an image on a transmission original irradiated with visible light and infrared light by an image forming optical system and reading the image by reading means; An image reading method, comprising: an image forming magnification correcting step of correcting a difference between the image forming magnification of the infrared light image and the image forming magnification of the infrared light image. 2. The image reading method according to claim 1, wherein the transparent original is a developed photographic film. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising an optical path length changing step of changing an optical path length from the transparent original to the reading unit when reading the visible light image and when reading the infrared light image. 2. The image reading method according to 1. 4. The image reading method according to claim 1, further comprising a correction area determining step of determining an area requiring correction based on the infrared light image. 5. The image reading method according to claim 1, wherein a reading resolution when reading the visible light image is higher than a reading resolution when reading the infrared light image. 6. The image forming optical system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission original is enlarged and projected onto the reading unit.
The image reading method described in the above. 7. A storage step of storing an image read by said reading means, an operation step of comparing and storing contents stored in said storage step, and judging whether or not the image read by said reading means is an area requiring correction. 2. The image reading method according to claim 1, further comprising: a determining step; and a correcting step of correcting the image data in the area requiring the correction. 8. An image reading apparatus which forms an image on a transmission original irradiated with visible light and infrared light by an image forming optical system and reads the image by reading means, wherein the visible light image by the image forming optical system is provided. An image reading apparatus, comprising: an imaging magnification correcting unit that corrects a difference between the imaging magnification of the infrared light image and the imaging magnification of the infrared light image. 9. The image reading apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the transparent original is a developed photographic film. 10. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an optical path length changing means for changing an optical path length from said transparent original to said reading means when said visible light image is read and when said infrared light image is read. 8. The image reading device according to 8. 11. The image reading apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a correction area determining unit that determines an area requiring correction based on the infrared light image. 12. The image reading apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a reading resolution when reading the visible light image is higher than a reading resolution when reading the infrared light image. 13. An image reading apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said image forming optical system enlarges and projects said transparent original onto said reading means. 14. A storage means for storing an image read by said reading means, an operation means for comparing and operating the storage contents of said storage means, and judging whether or not the image read by said reading means is an area requiring correction. 9. The image reading apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: a determination unit configured to perform the correction, and a correction unit configured to correct the image data in the area requiring the correction. 15. A control program for controlling an image reading device which forms an image on a transmission original irradiated with visible light and infrared light by an image forming optical system and reads the image by a reading means, and stores the control program in the information reading means. A readable storage medium, wherein the control program includes an imaging magnification correction module that corrects a difference between an imaging magnification of a visible light image and an imaging magnification of an infrared light image by the imaging optical system. Characteristic storage medium. 16. An image reading method for irradiating a transparent original with visible light and infrared light and reading an image on the transparent original by a reading means, wherein the optical path length is changed after focusing by a visible light image. An infrared light image capturing step of capturing an infrared light image by using an infrared light image, and an area determining step of correcting a change in image magnification when capturing the infrared light image and determining an area requiring correction. Image reading method. 17. The image reading method according to claim 16, further comprising a selection step of selecting whether or not to change the optical path length according to a reading resolution of the reading unit. 18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the transparent original is a developed photographic film. 19. An image reading apparatus for irradiating a transparent original with visible light and infrared light and reading an image on the transparent original by a reading means, wherein an optical path length is changed after focusing by a visible light image. Infrared light image capturing means for capturing an infrared light image, and region determining means for correcting a change in image magnification when capturing the infrared light image to determine a region requiring correction. Image reading device. 20. The image reading apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a selection unit that selects whether to change the optical path length according to a reading resolution of the reading unit. 21. The image reading apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said transparent original is a developed photographic film. 22. A light emitting step of emitting visible light and infrared light for irradiating a transmission original, and an optical path length changing step of changing an optical path length of an optical system for forming an image of light transmitted through the transmission original.
A focusing step of performing a focusing operation using the optical path length changing step, and a light detection step of detecting light transmitted through the optical system,
A storage step of storing the light detection result of the light detection step, a calculation step of comparing the storage contents of the storage step, and a determination of judging from the light detection result of the light detection step whether or not the area needs correction. And a correction step of correcting the image data in the area where the correction is necessary, and when the transparent document is irradiated with the visible light, the focused state is obtained by the focusing step. An image reading method comprising: changing an optical path length by a predetermined amount in the optical path length changing step from the focused state when irradiating infrared light. 23. The image reading method according to claim 22, further comprising an area determining step of correcting a change in image magnification due to the change in the optical path length to determine an area requiring the correction. 24. The area determining step includes changing image information by multiplying a light detection result by the infrared light by a coefficient caused by a change in the image magnification, and determining the area requiring correction. The image reading method according to claim 23, characterized in that: 25. The area determining step converts the area requiring correction determined by the light detection result of the infrared light into position information, and multiplies the corrected area by a coefficient caused by a change in the image magnification. 24. The image reading method according to claim 23, further comprising: correcting a necessary area to determine an area requiring the correction. 26. The image reading method according to claim 22, further comprising a selection step of selecting whether or not to change the optical path length according to a reading resolution of a reading unit. 27. The image reading method according to claim 22, wherein the transparent original is a developed photographic film. 28. A light emitting means for emitting visible light and infrared light for irradiating a transparent original, an optical system for forming an image of the light transmitted through the transparent original, and an optical path length changing an optical path length of the optical system. Means, focusing means for performing a focusing operation using the optical path length changing means, light detecting means for detecting light transmitted through the optical system, and storage means for storing a light detection result by the light detecting means. Calculating means for comparing and calculating the storage contents of the storage means, determining means for determining whether or not the area needs to be corrected based on the light detection result by the light detecting means, and image data in the area requiring correction. Correction means for correcting, when the transparent document is irradiated with the visible light, the focusing means is set to a focused state, and when the transmission document is irradiated with the infrared light, the focused state is changed to the optical path. Predetermined by length change means An image reading apparatus, wherein an optical path length is changed by a predetermined amount. 29. The image reading apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising an area determining unit that corrects a change in image magnification due to the change in the optical path length and determines an area requiring the correction. 30. The image processing apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the area determining unit changes the image information by multiplying the light detection result by the infrared light by a coefficient caused by a change in the image magnification, and determines the area requiring correction. 30. The image reading device according to claim 29, wherein: 31. The area determination means converts the area requiring correction determined by the light detection result of the infrared light into position information, and multiplies the corrected area by a coefficient caused by a change in the image magnification. 30. The image reading apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the image reading apparatus corrects a necessary area and determines an area requiring the correction. 32. The image reading apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising a selection unit that selects whether to change the optical path length according to a reading resolution of the reading unit. 33. An image reading apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said transparent original is a developed photographic film. 34. An image reading method for irradiating a transparent original with visible light and infrared light and reading an image of the transparent original by reading means, wherein a reading resolution by visible light and a reading resolution by infrared light are different. An image reading method, comprising: 35. The image reading method according to claim 34, wherein in the reading resolution setting step, the resolution of the image data read by the infrared light is set smaller than the resolution of the image data read by the visible light. . 36. The reading resolution setting step, wherein the setting value of the resolution of the image data read by the infrared light is made variable according to the resolution of the image data read by the visible light. Image reading method. 37. The image reading method according to claim 34, wherein said transparent original is a developed photographic film. 38. An image reading apparatus for irradiating a transparent original with visible light and infrared light and reading an image of the transparent original by reading means, wherein a reading resolution by visible light and a reading resolution by infrared light are different. An image reading apparatus, comprising: a reading resolution setting unit for causing a reading resolution to be set. 39. The image reading apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the reading resolution setting unit sets the resolution of the image data read by the infrared light smaller than the resolution of the image data read by the visible light. . 40. The reading resolution setting unit according to claim 38, wherein the setting value of the resolution of the image data read by the infrared light is made variable according to the resolution of the image data read by the visible light. Image reading device. 41. The image reading apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the transparent original is a developed photographic film. 42. A light emitting step of emitting visible light and infrared light for irradiating a transparent original, a light detecting step of detecting light transmitted through the transparent original, and a storage for storing a light detection result of the light detecting step. A calculating step of comparing the stored contents of the storing step; a determining step of determining whether or not the area needs correction based on the light detection result of the light detecting step; and an image in the area requiring correction. An image reading method, comprising: a correction step of correcting data; and a reading resolution setting step of making the reading resolution by visible light different from the reading resolution by infrared light. 43. The image reading method according to claim 42, wherein in the reading resolution setting step, the resolution of the image data read by the infrared light is set smaller than the resolution of the image data read by the visible light. . 44. The reading resolution setting step, wherein the setting value of the resolution of the image data read by the infrared light is made variable according to the resolution of the image data read by the visible light. Image reading method. 45. The image reading method according to claim 42, wherein the transparent original is a developed photographic film. 46. A light emitting means for emitting visible light and infrared light for irradiating a transparent original, a light detecting means for detecting light transmitted through the transparent original, and a storage for storing a light detection result by the light detecting means. Means, arithmetic means for comparing and calculating the storage contents of the storage means, determination means for determining whether or not the area requires correction based on the light detection result by the light detection means, and image in the area requiring correction. An image reading apparatus comprising: a correction unit that corrects data; and a reading resolution setting unit that makes a reading resolution by the visible light different from a reading resolution by the infrared light. 47. The image reading apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the reading resolution setting unit sets the resolution of the image data read by the infrared light smaller than the resolution of the image data read by the visible light. . 48. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the reading resolution setting means changes a setting value of the resolution of the image data read by the infrared light according to the resolution of the image data read by the visible light. Image reading device. 49. The image reading apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the transparent original is a developed photographic film. 50. A transparent manuscript is irradiated with visible light and infrared light, an image of the transmissive manuscript is read by a reading means, an area of the object to be corrected is detected from the image data by the infrared light, An image reading method for correcting an object to be corrected, comprising a display step of displaying images before and after the correction. 51. The image reading method according to claim 50, wherein said display step has a plurality of display modes. 52. The image reading method according to claim 51, wherein the plurality of display modes are a sequential display mode, a simultaneous display mode, a divided display mode, and a switching display mode. 53. The image reading method according to claim 50, wherein the transparent original is a developed photographic film. 54. The image reading method according to claim 50, wherein the correction object is dust. 55. The image reading method according to claim 50, wherein the correction object is a flaw. 56. A transparent manuscript is irradiated with visible light and infrared light, an image of the transparent manuscript is read by a reading means, an area of a correction object is detected from image data by the infrared light, and the detected An image reading apparatus for correcting an object to be corrected, comprising: display means for displaying images before and after the correction. 57. An apparatus according to claim 56, wherein said display means has a plurality of display modes. 58. The image reading apparatus according to claim 57, wherein the plurality of display modes are a sequential display mode, a simultaneous display mode, a divided display mode, and a switching display mode. 59. The image reading apparatus according to claim 56, wherein the transparent original is a developed photographic film. 60. The image reading apparatus according to claim 56, wherein the correction target is dust. 61. The image reading apparatus according to claim 56, wherein the correction object is a flaw. 62. A light emitting step of emitting visible light and infrared light for irradiating a transparent original, a light detecting step of detecting light transmitted through the transparent original, and a storage for storing a light detection result by the light detecting means. A calculating step of comparing the stored contents of the storing step; a determining step of determining whether or not the area needs correction based on the light detection result of the light detecting step; and an image in the area requiring correction. An image reading method comprising: a correction step of correcting data; and a display step of displaying a first image before being corrected by the correction step and a second image corrected by the correction step. . 63. The image reading method according to claim 62, wherein, in the displaying step, the first image is displayed first, and then the second image is displayed. 64. The display step includes displaying the first image immediately after capturing the first image, and displaying the second image immediately after the image is corrected by the correction step. 63. The image reading method according to claim 62, wherein: 65. The image reading method according to claim 62, wherein in said displaying step, said first image and said second image are simultaneously displayed. 66. The image reading method according to claim 62, wherein the display step displays the first image and the second image in a switchable manner. 67. The image reading method according to claim 62, wherein said storing step stores the first image and the second image separately. 68. The display step, wherein the first image and the second image are displayed by combining image data divided and stored in the storage step. 62. The image reading method according to 62. 69. The image reading method according to claim 62, wherein the transparent original is a developed photographic film. 70. A light emitting means for emitting visible light and infrared light for irradiating a transmissive original, an optical system for forming an image of the light transmitted through the transmissive original, and a light detector for detecting the light transmitted through the optical system Means, storage means for storing a light detection result by the light detection means, calculation means for comparing and calculating the storage contents of the storage means, and determining whether or not the area needs correction based on the light detection result by the light detection means. Determining means for determining; correcting means for correcting the image data in the area requiring correction; and a first image before being corrected by the correcting means and a second image corrected by the correcting means. An image reading apparatus comprising: a display unit for displaying. 71. An image reading apparatus according to claim 70, wherein said display means displays said first image first, and thereafter displays said second image. 72. The display means displays the first image immediately after capturing the first image, and displays the second image immediately after the image is corrected by the correction means. 71. The image reading device according to claim 70, wherein: 73. The image reading apparatus according to claim 70, wherein the display unit displays the first image and the second image simultaneously. 74. The image reading apparatus according to claim 70, wherein the display unit displays the first image and the second image in a switchable manner. 75. The image reading apparatus according to claim 70, wherein said storage means stores the first image and the second image separately. 76. The display device according to claim 76, wherein the display unit displays the first image and the second image by combining the image data divided and stored by the storage unit. 70. The image reading device according to claim 70. 77. A storage medium that irradiates a transparent original with visible light and infrared light and stores a control program for controlling an image reading device that reads an image on the transparent original by a reading unit and is readable by an information reading unit. The control program is an infrared light image capturing module that captures an infrared light image by changing an optical path length after focusing by a visible light image, and an image magnification of the infrared light image when capturing the infrared light image. A region determination module that corrects a change to determine a region that needs to be corrected. 78. The storage medium according to claim 77, wherein said control program has a selection module for selecting whether or not to change said optical path length according to the reading resolution of said reading means. 79. The storage medium according to claim 77, wherein said transparent original is a developed photographic film. 80. A storage medium which irradiates a transparent original with visible light and infrared light and stores a control program for controlling an image reading apparatus which reads an image on the transparent original by a reading means and which can be read by an information reading means. Wherein the control program includes a light emitting module that emits visible light and infrared light that irradiates a transparent original, and an optical path length changing module that changes an optical path length of an optical system that forms an image of light transmitted through the transparent original. A focusing module that performs a focusing operation using the optical path length changing module, a light detection module that detects light transmitted through the optical system, and a storage module that stores a light detection result by the light detection module, An arithmetic module for comparing and calculating the storage contents of the storage module, and whether or not the area needs correction based on the light detection result by the light detection module A determination module for determining whether or not, a correction module for correcting the image data in the area that needs to be corrected, and when the transparent document is irradiated with the visible light, the focus state is set by the focus module; A storage medium characterized in that when irradiating the transmissive original with the infrared light, the optical path length is changed by a predetermined amount from the focused state by the optical path length changing module. 81. The storage medium according to claim 80, wherein said control program has an area determining module for correcting a change in image magnification due to said change in optical path length to determine an area requiring correction. 82. The area determining module may change the image information by multiplying the light detection result by the infrared light by a coefficient caused by a change in the image magnification, and determine the area requiring correction. The storage medium according to claim 81, characterized by the fact that: 83. The area determination module converts the area requiring correction, which is determined based on the light detection result of the infrared light, into position information, and multiplies the corrected area by a coefficient caused by a change in the image magnification. 9. A region requiring correction is determined, and a region requiring correction is determined.
The storage medium according to claim 1. 84. The storage medium according to claim 80, wherein said control program has a selection module for selecting whether or not to change said optical path length according to the reading resolution of said reading means. 85. The storage medium according to claim 80, wherein said transparent original is a developed photographic film. 86. A storage medium that irradiates a transparent original with visible light and infrared light and stores a control program for controlling an image reading device that reads an image of the transparent original by a reading unit and that can be read by an information reading unit. A storage medium characterized in that the control program has a reading resolution setting module for making the reading resolution by visible light different from the reading resolution by infrared light. 87. The storage medium according to claim 86, wherein the reading resolution setting module sets the resolution of the image data read by the infrared light smaller than the resolution of the image data read by the visible light. 88. The reading resolution setting module according to claim 86, wherein the setting value of the resolution of the image data read by the infrared light is variable according to the resolution of the image data read by the visible light. Storage media. 89. The storage medium according to claim 86, wherein said transparent original is a developed photographic film. 90. A storage medium which irradiates a transparent original with visible light and infrared light and stores a control program for controlling an image reading apparatus which reads an image on the transparent original by a reading means and which can be read by an information reading means. The control program includes a light emitting module that emits visible light and infrared light that irradiates a transparent original, and a light detection module that detects light transmitted through an optical system that forms an image of light that has transmitted through the transparent original. A storage module for storing a light detection result by the light detection module; an operation module for comparing and calculating the storage contents of the storage module; and determining whether or not the area needs correction based on the light detection result by the light detection module. A determining module that corrects the image data in the area that needs to be corrected; A reading resolution setting module for making a reading resolution different from a reading resolution by the infrared light. 91. The storage medium according to claim 90, wherein the reading resolution setting module sets the resolution of the image data read by the infrared light smaller than the resolution of the image data read by the visible light. 92. The reading resolution setting module, wherein the setting value of the resolution of the image data read by the infrared light is made variable according to the resolution of the image data read by the visible light. Storage media. 93. The storage medium according to claim 90, wherein said transparent original is a developed photographic film. 94. The storage medium according to claim 77, wherein said storage medium is a floppy disk. 95. The storage medium according to claim 77, wherein said storage medium is a hard disk. 96. The storage medium according to claim 77, wherein said storage medium is an optical disk. 97. The storage medium according to claim 77, wherein said storage medium is a magneto-optical disk. 98. The storage medium is a CD-ROM (Co-ROM).
mpact Disk Read Only Memo
100. The storage medium according to claim 77, wherein the storage medium is ry). The storage medium may be a CD-R (Comp)
The storage medium according to any one of claims 77 to 92 or 93, wherein the storage medium is an act disk recordable. 100. The storage medium according to claim 77, wherein said storage medium is a magnetic tape. 101. The storage medium according to claim 77, wherein the storage medium is a nonvolatile memory card.
3. The storage medium according to 3. The storage medium may be a ROM (Read).
The storage medium according to any one of claims 77 to 92 or 93, wherein the storage medium is an only memory (IC) chip.