JPH07283910A - Image input device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] An image input function is added with a configuration that does not impair the portability of a mobile information terminal. An image reading module in which a sensor unit including an image sensor and a document illuminating unit and a PC card interface unit are integrally formed is inserted into a portable device having an image display unit and a PC card insertion unit, and fixed by a fixing unit. . The original image is read by manual operation with the image reading module fixed to the main body. Furthermore, the portable device main body includes a microprocessor, and the image reading module includes a storage unit that stores an execution program of the microprocessor. [Effect] The original can be manually scanned by holding the main body of the portable device with the hand. This allows the image reading module to be designed very small.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image input device for manually scanning an original image to read and input the image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a small portable information device having an LCD display such as an electronic notebook has been commercialized.
In particular, devices that combine mobile communication functions and information terminal functions have been receiving attention. Since a mobile device having a communication function has a facsimile transmission function, a handy image scanner connectable to the mobile device is required.

A first configuration of a conventional handy scanner will be described. The conventional handy scanner is used by connecting to a personal computer or the like. The handy scanner and the personal computer are electrically connected by a cable, and the computer captures the image read by the handy scanner (for example, US Pat. No. 5,175,422).

Next, the second structure of the conventional handy scanner will be described. By providing a means for storing the read image inside the handy scanner, the handy scanner is used alone when reading the image. Then, after storing the image data in the internal memory, the handy scanner is connected to a computer or the like to transfer the image data (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Sho 5).
9-500938).

[0005]

The conventional handy scanner needs to be held by hand for manual scanning. As a result, the conventional handheld scanner has a problem that it cannot be miniaturized because it must be large enough to be manually held and scanned by a document. When a conventional handy scanner is connected to a mobile information terminal to read an image, the size of the handy scanner impairs the portability of the mobile information terminal.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to add an image input function with a structure that does not impair the portability of a portable information terminal.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, the image input device of the present invention is an image reading module in which a sensor unit including an image sensor and a document illuminating unit and a PC card interface unit are integrally formed. And a main body having an image display means and a PC card insertion part, and the image reading module
It is characterized in that it comprises means for fixing the image reading module to the main body when the image reading module is inserted into the C card insertion portion, and the image reading module is fixed to the main body to read an image.

Further, the main body is provided with a microprocessor, and the image reading module is provided with a storage means for storing an execution program of the microprocessor.

An image reading module in which a sensor unit including an image sensor and a document illuminating unit, and a PC card interface section are integrally formed, and a main body having a PC card insertion section, wherein the adapter is
The image reading module includes an external interface unit for outputting read image data to an external device, and a unit for fixing the image reading module to the adapter when the image reading module is inserted into the PC card insertion portion of the adapter. It is characterized in that the image is read by fixing to.

[0010]

According to the present invention, with the above-described structure, the manuscript can be manually scanned while holding the portable device body by hand. This allows the image reading module to be designed very small. Further, by providing the image display means in the mobile device body, the read image can be displayed and the read image can be confirmed and edited on the mobile device. Further, since the image reading module is attached to the main body only when the image reading is necessary, it is possible to attach another PC card to the PC card insertion portion of the portable device main body when the image reading is unnecessary. .

The mobile device body includes a microprocessor. By providing the reading module with a memory that stores a program relating to the reading module that can be executed by the microprocessor, it is possible to unify the software interfaces of the reading module viewed from the mobile device side.

[0012] In addition, when the image reading module is connected to an external device such as a computer to read an image, an image reading device for the portable device is attached to an adapter having an interface means with the external device and a PC card insertion section. Install the module. The adapter is large enough to be able to scan an original by hand.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the image input device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external view of the image input device of the present invention. The portable device 1 includes a liquid crystal display unit 2 capable of pen input and a PC.
A card slot 7 is provided. The reading module 4
PC card interface section 3 and image sensor section 6
Equipped with. For the image sensor unit 6, a perfect contact type image sensor is used. The wheels 5a and 5b rotate by coming into contact with the document, and detect the scanning position.

PC card section 3 of reading module 4
Is inserted into the PC card slot 7 of the mobile device 1.
As a result, the reading module 4 is electrically connected to the mobile device 1. The reading module 4 has protrusions 8a and 8b. When the reading module 4 is attached to the mobile device 1, the protrusions 8a and 8b are fitted into the holes 9a and 9b provided in the mobile device 1, respectively. As a result, the reading module 4 is mechanically fixed to the mobile device 1.

With the above arrangement, the document can be manually scanned while holding the portable device body by hand. Therefore, the image reading module can be designed to be extremely small. Further, since the image reading module is attached to the main body only when the image reading is necessary, when the image reading is not necessary, another PC card can be attached to the PC card insertion portion of the main body of the portable device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which an original image is read by manually scanning the original. With the reading module 4 fixed to the mobile device 1, the hand 41 holds the body of the mobile device. By moving the body of the portable device 1 in the direction of the arrow while bringing the reading surface of the original document 42 and the image sensor surface of the reading module 4 into close contact with each other,
Scan and read the document. At this time, the original image being read is sequentially displayed on the liquid crystal display 2.

A schematic sectional view of the reading module 4 is shown in FIG.
Shown in. The fiber array 23 for guiding the reflected light from the original to the image sensor chip 28 is made of opaque glass 22a.
And 22b. The LED array 21 illuminates the original document via the fiber array 23. The spring 20 is used to bring the image sensor unit 24 into close contact with the document surface. The reading unit may be provided with a swinging mechanism so that the image sensor surface is in close contact with the original surface when the image is read.

FIG. 4 shows the protrusion 8b of the reading module 4.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of and the periphery of a hole 9b portion of the mobile device 1. The L-shaped resin part 32 is fixed to the body of the reading module at a position indicated by 33. L-shaped part 32
The key portion at the tip of is protruding from the protruding portion 8b to the outside. Insert the protrusion 8b into the hole 9b of the portable device 1 (arrow C).
Then, the hook of the L-shaped component is caught in the recess 34 of the hole 9b. As a result, the reading module 4 is fixed to the body of the mobile device.

The operation of separating the reading module 4 fixed to the portable device body 1 from the portable device 1 will be described below. When the button 31 is pushed in the direction of arrow A with a finger, the button 31 elastically deforms the L-shaped component 32. L-shaped part 32
The key portion moves in the direction of arrow B and is stored inside the protrusion 8b. Therefore, the hook portion and the concave portion 34 are released from each other, so that the reading module 4 can be separated from the portable device 4. The means for fixing the reading module 4 to the mobile device 1 is not limited to the above method,
Various methods can be used. For example, a recess is provided in the PC card unit 3, and the PC card slot 7 of the portable device 1 is provided.
A hook may be provided inside.

When the reading module 4 is mounted on the portable device 1 and the document surface is manually scanned, a force from the operator's hand is applied to the joint between the portable device 1 and the reading module 4. Since the joining force is insufficient only by inserting the PC card unit 3 into the PC card slot 7, the fixing means as described above is indispensable.

A schematic block diagram of the electric circuit configuration of the embodiment is shown in FIG. The circuit block of the mobile device 1 will be described below. The microprocessor (MPU) 41 controls the entire mobile device 1. The ROM 42 stores an operating system and dictionary data for character recognition, and the MPU 41 stores the ROM 4 via the MPU bus 53.
Access code and data stored in 2. R
The AM 43 is used as a work memory for the MPU 41. The image data read by the reading module 4 is also stored in the RAM 43. The PC card interface 44 connects the PC card inserted in the PC card slot 7 and the MPU bus 53.

The LCD controller (LCDC) is an MP
It has a function of drawing on the video RAM (VRAM) 54 and a function of sending video data to the LCD panel 48 in response to a command from the U41. The LCD panel displays the read original image data in the RAM 43. The tablet controller (TABC) 45 controls a resistive film type transparent tablet to detect coordinates touched by a pen or a finger. The communication circuit unit (CCU) is a circuit for performing serial communication. Modem (MODEM) 50
Modulates and demodulates serial digital data with a high frequency carrier. 52 is an antenna. With the above configuration, the image data read by using the reading module 4 can be transmitted by facsimile via the cellular telephone line. The telephone line modular jack may be used to connect to the telephone line by wire. The battery 54 supplies electric power to the portable device 1 and the reading module 4
When is installed, it also supplies power.

Next, the circuit block of the reading module 4 will be described. PC card interface 61
The MPU bus 53 and the internal bus 62 of the reading module 4 are electrically connected via the. The rotary encoders 64 and 65 are connected to the wheels 5a and 5b by gears, respectively, and generate pulses according to the rotation of the wheels. Encoder counters 63 and 66 count the pulses from rotary encoders 64 and 65, respectively. The MPU 41 can read the count values of the encoder counters 63 and 66 via the PC card interfaces 44 and 61. Image sensor 6
7 is driven by the drive signal from the sensor drive circuit 67, and outputs the read image information as an analog image signal.

The image processing circuit 69 converts an analog image signal from the image sensor into a digital signal, and
The shading distortion of the image sensor 68 is corrected. The line buffer 70 stores digital image signals for one line. The MPU 41 receives the line buffer 70 via the PC card interfaces 44 and 61.
The image data stored in can be accessed.
Further, the line buffer 70 outputs an interrupt signal when the storage of the image data for one line is completed. The interrupt signal is input to the MPU 41 via the PC card interfaces 61 and 44. MPU61
Receives the interrupt signal, transfers the image data in the line buffer to the RAM 43. At this time MPU
41 calculates the transfer address of the RAM 43 based on the count values of the encoder counters 63 and 66.

The ROM 71 includes a BIOS (basic input / outp) that is composed of code and data that can be executed by the MPU 41.
ut sysyem) is remembered. The BIOS is a program for controlling and accessing the hardware of the reading module 4. When the reading module 4 is attached to the mobile device 1, the MPU 41 operates in the ROM 7
The BIOS stored in 1 is loaded into the RAM 43. M
The PU 41 executes the BIOS in the RAM 43 to control and access the reading module 4.

Further, the ROM 71 stores a device driver composed of code and data executable by the MPU 41. The device driver is a program including an interrupt routine executed by an interrupt signal generated by the line buffer 70. When the reading module 4 is attached to the mobile device 1, the MPU 41 reads R
The device driver stored in the OM 71 is loaded into the RAM 43, and the initialization routine included in the device driver is executed. When the interrupt signal is input, the MPU 41 executes the interrupt routine in the device driver transferred to the RAM 43 to access the image data in the line buffer and the values of the encoder counters 63 and 64. When the reading module 4 is separated from the mobile device 1, the MPU 41 deletes the BOIS and the device driver loaded in the RAM 43.

Further, the ROM 71 stores an application program executable by the MPU 41. FAX as an example of the application program
There is a sending program. The FAX transmission program is
The scanned original image is displayed on the LCD panel, the transmitted image is confirmed, a front page image in which a predetermined destination or source is entered is generated, and the front page image and the scanned image are input as the FAX number. It has a function of transmitting to the destination of. When the reading module 4 is attached to the mobile device 1, the MPU 41 loads the application program stored in the ROM 71 into the RAM 43 and executes the application program as needed.

As described above, by storing the BIOS and / or device driver in the storage means (ROM 71) in the reading module 4 and loading them in the main memory (RAM 43) of the MPU 41 when the reading module is mounted, It becomes possible to mount and use a plurality of types of reading modules having different wear configurations and specifications in a mobile device. Further, since the BIOS and / or the device driver are loaded into the main memory of the MPU 41 only when the reading module is mounted, it is possible to secure more free area of the main memory when the reading module is not mounted. Further, by providing the reading module with means for storing the application program using the reading module, it is not necessary to store the application program in the storage means (ROM 42 or RAM 43) in the portable device in advance. Therefore, it is possible to secure a larger free area of the storage means in the mobile device 1. The storage means in the mobile device may be flash memory, magnetic storage means, or the like.

Furthermore, if a plurality of types of reading modules having different specifications (reading resolution, number of image sensor pixels, number of gradations, etc.) are provided, the user of the portable device can select the reading module to be used as necessary. Is possible. The difference in the specifications of the reading module viewed from the mobile device can be hidden by the BIOS or the device driver stored in the storage means in the reading module.

FIG. 6 is an external view when the reading module 4 shown in FIG. 1 is used by being connected to a personal computer (PC). 6, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are assigned the same numbers. The reading module adapter comprises a body 80, a cable 81 and a PC card section 82. The reading module 4 is mounted on the body 80. The body 80 is designed to have a shape and size that are easy to hold when manually scanning an original. PC8
3 has a PC card slot into which the PC card section 82 is inserted. The adapter is a signal line for each of the PC card slots of the PC 83 and the PC of the reading module.
It has a function of electrically connecting to the signal line of the card unit 3.
When the cable 81 is long, a buffer circuit for buffering the signal in the signal line is provided in the PC card section 82 and the body 80.

If the PC 83 does not have a PC card slot, a circuit board that can be installed in the expansion slot of the PC 83 is used instead of the PC card section 82. The circuit board includes a circuit for converting a signal of the PC card specification into the bus specification of the expansion slot of the PC 83. When the reading module 4 is connected to the PC using the adapter, the PC 8
3 powers the reading module and the adapter.

The BIOS, device driver or application software stored in the ROM 71 of the reading module is loaded into the main memory of the PC 83.
When the MPU in the portable device 1 and the MPU in the PC have different formats, the ROM 71 stores a plurality of BIOS, device drivers or application software executable by the respective MPUs. The PC 83 or the mobile device 1 selects a BIOS, device driver or application software that can be executed by each MPU and loads it into the main memory. Alternatively, the ROM 71 may be replaced with one for a personal computer.

By using the above adapter, a small reading module directly attached to a portable device can be expanded to a size large enough for a user to scan a document by hand, and can be connected to an external device such as a personal computer. Then, the original image can be read. The external device to which the adapter is connected may be a facsimile machine, a word processor, or a printer.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the image reading module can be designed to be extremely small by manually holding the portable device main body and manually scanning the original, the portable device is portable. An image reading function can be added to a mobile device without damaging it. Further, by providing the image display means in the mobile device body, the read image can be displayed and the read image can be confirmed and edited on the mobile device. Further, since the image reading module is attached to the main body only when the image reading is necessary, when the image reading is not necessary, another PC card can be attached to the PC card insertion portion of the main body of the portable device.

Further, by storing a program relating to the reading module, which can be executed by the microprocessor in the portable device, in the reading module, the software interface of the reading module seen from the portable device side is unified, and the portable device is portable. More usable capacity of the storage means in the device can be secured.

By mounting a small reading module on the external device connecting adapter, it is possible to read the original image by connecting to an external device such as a personal computer.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an image input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a method of using the image input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the reading module 4.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a joint portion between the reading module 4 and the mobile device 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an electric circuit configuration of the image input device according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an external view when the reading module 4 is connected to a personal computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Mobile Device Main Body 2 Liquid Crystal Display Section 3 PC Card Interface Section 4 Reading Module 6 Image Sensor Section 8a, 8b Protrusions 9a, 9b Hole 21 LED Array 80 Adapter Body 82 PC Card Section 83 Personal Computer

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image input device for manually scanning a document image to read image information of a document, comprising an image reading module in which a sensor unit including an image sensor and a document illuminating unit and a PC card interface unit are integrated. And a means for fixing the image reading module to the main body when the image reading module is inserted into the PC card inserting portion of the main body.
An image input device, wherein the image reading module is fixed to a main body to read an image. 2. The image input device according to claim 1, wherein the main body includes a microprocessor, and the image reading module includes storage means for storing an execution program of the microprocessor. 3. The execution program is a BIOS for controlling an image reading module; BIOS.
The image input device according to claim 2, further comprising (basic input / output system). 4. The image input device according to claim 2, wherein the execution program includes a device driver for controlling the image reading module. 5. The image input device according to claim 2, wherein the execution program includes application software that uses the image data read by the image reading module. 6. The image input device according to claim 1, wherein the image data read by the image reading module is stored in a main memory provided in the main body. 7. An image input device for manually scanning a document image and reading image information by an image sensor, comprising an image reading module comprising a sensor unit including the image sensor, document illuminating means, and a PC card interface unit. And an adapter having a PC card insertion section, the adapter having an external interface means for outputting read image data to an external device, and an image reading when the image reading module is inserted into the PC card insertion section of the adapter. An image input apparatus comprising means for fixing a module to the adapter, wherein the image reading module is fixed to the adapter to read an image.