JPH09163077A - Scanner device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: It is possible to obtain a white and black reference value for shading correction stably in a scanner regardless of temperature. A CCD line sensor 904 includes a document 90.
Before reading 1, the white reference plane is read and stored as a white reference value, and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 908 is also stored. Next, the original 901 is read, and the read image signal is subjected to shading correction using the white reference value. The temperature is detected before the next document is read.If the detected temperature has changed by more than a certain amount from the recently stored temperature, the white reference value is judged again.If it does not change, the stored white reference value is changed. To use.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a scanner device for reading a document, and for example, a printer / scanner device capable of causing a printer to function as a document reading device by mounting a scanner head cartridge on a carriage of a serial printer. It is suitable for use.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional general scanner device, an image to be scanned is irradiated with light, the light is reflected by the image and enters an optical section of the scanner, and the level of the light is converted from analog to digital (hereinafter referred to as "analog / digital conversion"). What is converted into a digital value by A / D conversion) is obtained as scan image processing. Contrast is an important factor in determining the image quality of a scanner, and it is defined as the range of shading from the darkest pixel to the brightest pixel in an image. The scanner A / D-converts the optical analog data for each captured pixel based on this contrast range. This contrast information varies depending on individuals because there are variations in optical system characteristics and electric circuit characteristics among scanner apparatuses. Therefore, the scanner device must always execute the method of defining the contrast information and store the result before performing the scanning operation.

Specifically, the contrast information is for defining the reference data (hereinafter referred to as white reference value) for defining the value of the whitest data obtained by actually reading by the scanner device and the value of the blackest data. Reference data (hereinafter referred to as black reference value (black reference data) or offset value). When A / D converting each pixel, the white reference value (white reference data) and the offset value are used as a reference for A / D conversion.
Perform D conversion. When the scanner device reads an image, white reference value, and offset value, the output value is the light source, optical sensor, A /
Hardware environment such as D conversion circuit, amplifier, position accuracy,
Depends on individual differences. When reading a specific pixel, it is required that the fluctuation ratio due to this dependency is low in order to make the output constant and to realize stable high image quality. In order to achieve this, use of high-precision parts, increase the amount of light from the light source, increase the reading time per pixel, and increase the A / D
For example, the white reference value and the offset value, which are references of the conversion process, are measured every time the document is read.

On the other hand, recently, in a serial printer used for a word processor or the like, there is a serial printer which can be used as a reading unit by mounting a scanner unit having the same shape instead of the print head cartridge as a printing unit.

[0005]

In order to realize high image quality and stable image output in a scanner device, the above-mentioned methods and means are generally used. However, these methods and means make the apparatus large in size and expensive. Induce. There are the following problems in downsizing and price reduction. (1) The parts used are limited. For example, if the analog value input to the quantization processing of A / D conversion is too low, the quantization error will increase. Therefore, it is desirable to variably adjust the gain by the amplifier and set the analog value to an ideal level. However, it may not be possible to employ an amplifier whose gain can be changed in order to reduce the size and cost. (2) It is difficult to increase the output of the light source or the amplifier because of power saving or heat generation countermeasures. (3) Due to the miniaturization, each component is easily affected by heat generation of electric components such as a light source. (4) For downsizing and cost reduction, it may be difficult to physically arrange a white reference surface (white surface / black surface) for measuring the white reference value and the offset value. In that case, every time the user measures the white reference value and the offset value, the user sets the white reference value / offset value measurement reference document on the platen,
You need to read it. (5) For downsizing and cost reduction, the size of usable optical components is limited, and as a result, ideal characteristics may not be obtained. (6) The light sources that can be used are limited for downsizing and cost reduction, and as a result, the light sources deteriorate and their characteristics change according to the number of times the light source is used.

Further, when realizing a serial scanner,
The following problems are listed. (7) The distance between the reading surface and the sensor part of the scanner (hereinafter referred to as the paper interval) is increased by the carriage reciprocation and the document feed.
It always changes. (8) Unlike a line scanner such as a flatbed scanner device, scanning time in the reciprocating direction of the carriage is required. Therefore, if the time required for scanning the document is taken into consideration, it is difficult to increase the reading time per pixel. .

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a scanner device capable of obtaining highly accurate and stable contrast information with a simple structure.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems In the first invention,
Before reading the original, photoelectric conversion means for reading the original and the reference surface, detection means for detecting the ambient temperature, storage means for storing the temperature detected when the photoelectric conversion means reads the reference surface, And a control means for causing the photoelectric conversion means to read the reference surface when the temperature detected by the temperature change from the latest temperature stored in the storage means by a predetermined amount or more, and storing the read value as reference data. Is provided.

In the second invention, the photoelectric conversion means for reading the original and the reference surface, the detection means for detecting the ambient temperature, the reference data obtained by the photoelectric conversion means reading the reference surface, and the reference data are obtained. The database is provided with a creating unit that creates a database that associates the temperature detected when it was obtained.

In the third invention, referring to the above database, if the reference data associated with the temperature exists in the database, the reference data is used, and if the associated reference data does not exist in the database. A control means is provided for performing control to remeasure the reference data.

In the fourth invention, the photoelectric conversion means for reading the original and the reference surface, the detection means for detecting the ambient temperature, and the reference data obtained by the photoelectric conversion means reading the reference surface are detected. A correction unit that corrects the temperature is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, photoelectric conversion means for reading the original and the reference surface, counting means for counting the number of readings, and reference data obtained by the photoelectric conversion means for reading the reference surface are counted by the counting means. And a control means for performing control for re-measurement of the reference data when the number of counts exceeds a predetermined value.

[0013]

According to the first invention, the ambient environment temperature is measured at the time of image reading, and when the ambient environment temperature has changed from the ambient environment temperature at the time of the recent white reference measurement by a predetermined amount or more,
When the white reference data is remeasured and the amount of change in ambient temperature is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, the white reference data is not measured again and the latest white reference measurement data is used.

According to the second invention, during the white reference measurement,
A white reference database is created by associating the white reference data with the ambient temperature.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the ambient temperature is measured at the time of reading the image, and if the ambient temperature has changed by a predetermined amount or more from the ambient temperature at the time of the recent white reference measurement, the white reference is determined. If the white reference data associated with the ambient temperature is referenced in the database, the white reference data is used. If the associated white reference data does not exist in the database, the white reference data is remeasured. Further, when the change amount of the ambient environment temperature is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, the latest white reference measurement data is used without re-measurement of the white reference data.

According to the fourth invention, when the image is read,
When the ambient temperature is measured and the ambient temperature has changed by more than a specified amount from the ambient temperature at the time of the recent white reference measurement, the white reference data is a numerical value with a correction amount according to the change rate of the ambient temperature. If the change amount of the ambient environment temperature is corrected and is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the white reference data is not corrected and the latest white reference measurement data is used.

According to the fifth invention, the number of image readings is counted, and when the number of image readings exceeds a predetermined amount,
Re-measure the white reference data.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. "Outline of Host Computer Printer / Scanner" FIG. 1 is an external view of a portable personal computer with a built-in serial printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram thereof. In this apparatus, a printer head cartridge having the same shape as the print head cartridge is placed on a carriage for moving the print head cartridge of the serial inkjet printer, so that the printer can function as a document reading apparatus.

The central processing unit 201 (CPU) controls the main control in the host unit of this personal computer, and the BIOS ROM directs the basic control.
It is 202. A floppy disk (FDD) 203 or a hard disk (HDD) 204 which is a writable nonvolatile memory device to a floppy disk controller 205 (FDC) or a hard disk controller 20.
The application program is read out via 6 (HDC), expanded in the system main memory 207, and the program is executed using the same memory. At this time,
As a screen display method, a liquid crystal (LCD) using a video graphic array controller 208 (VGAC) is used.
The characters written in the video memory (VRAM) 210 are displayed in 209, and the keyboard 211 is displayed.
Key input from the keyboard controller (KBC) 2
It is performed via 12. Here, the numerical processor (FPU) 213 supports the CPU 201 for arithmetic processing.

The real time clock (RTC) 214 indicates the elapsed time at the present time, and the operation is performed by the dedicated battery even when the power of the entire system is turned off. The SRAM memory stores system information such as the operating state of the system. The contents of this memory are retained by the dedicated battery even when the power is not turned on. The DMA controller 215 (DMAC) performs high-speed data transfer between memory-memory, memory-I / O question, and I / O-I / O question, so that data is transferred without intervention of the CPU. Interrupt controller 216
(IRQC) accepts interrupts from each I / O and performs processing according to the priority order. The timer has a free-running timer with several channels and manages various times.
Other serial interface 217 connected to the outside
(SIO), expansion port 218 (PORT), and LEDs for notifying the user of the operating status.

The personal computer is equipped with the serial printer / serial scanner unit 219 as described above. The print function or the scanner function is realized by mounting either the removable print head or the scanner head on the carriage of the printer body. The printer is connected to the host by a parallel interface. The host and the printer controller send / receive status data and print / scan data at the register level of the I / O port.

"Printer / Scanner Section" FIG. 3 is an external view of the printer / scanner section of this embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram thereof. The description of each part in FIG. 3 will be given later.
In FIG. 4, the printer device is a CPU for controlling the printer.
401, ROM / ROM 40 including printer / scanner control program, printer emulation, and print font
2. Development data for printing, image data captured by the scanner, RAM 403 for storing received data from the host, printer / scanner print / scan head 404, printer driver 40 for driving the motor
5. The controller 406 controls access to the memory, exchanges data with the host, and sends control signals to the printer driver. Further, a thermistor 407 is provided to manage the body temperature of the entire system.

The CPU 401 reads the emulation command sent from the host to the printer / scanner section from the I / O data register in the controller while controlling the main body mechanically / electrically according to the control program stored in the ROM 402. The control corresponding to is written in and read from the I / O register and I / O port in the controller.

"Printer / Scanner Controller" FIG.
Figure 1 shows the configuration of the printer controller. As the functional block of the controller, the I / O data register 50 for exchanging data at the command level with the host is used.
1, and a reception buffer controller 502 that directly writes the reception data from the register to the RAM, reads the recording data from the recording data buffer of the RAM during printing, sends the data to the print head, and sends the data from the scan head when using the scanner. A print / scan buffer controller 503 that similarly writes the received data to the recording data buffer of the RAM, a memory controller 504 that controls memory access from three directions to the RAM, a sequence controller 505 that controls the print / scan sequence, It consists of a block of the host interface 506 which is responsible for communication with the host.

FIG. 6 shows a map of the IO data register of the printer / scanner. Among them, the motor control port 601 controls the port by directly rewriting the value of the register to drive each motor.
The recording data buffer area 602 sets a data area required for printing or scanning operation. By setting a start address 6021 and an end address (only the start address at the time of scanning) 6022, printing is performed within that range. / RA by scan buffer controller
The recording data is read and written from the start address of M to the end address in order. At this time, the recording data address pointer indicates the data address currently being sent out or being written. In the print mode, the read data is transferred to the print head, and the head driver in the head sends a control signal. In the case of the scan mode, data sent from the scan head is written into this buffer.

Similarly, the reception data buffer area 603 also sets a data area necessary for reception, and by setting a start address 6031 and an end address 6032 (only the start address at the time of scanning), the range is within that range. The reception buffer controller writes the reception data from the start address of the RAM to the end address in order. At this time, the reception data address pointer indicates the data address which has already been received. FIG. 7 shows the address areas of the recording data buffer and the receiving buffer on the RAM 403 in the above operation, respectively.

"Scanner Unit" FIG. 8 shows the appearance of the scanner head cartridge. 8 and 3 will be described below. The scanner head cartridge 800 in the printer unit of FIGS. 3 and 8 has the same shape as the print head cartridge 302 of FIG. 3 used for printing, and the electrical connection portion with the printer portion also has a connector 801 common to the print cartridge. To have. Reference numeral 301 in FIG. 3 denotes a carriage, which is a connector 80 of the scanner head cartridge 800.
A read control signal is transmitted and received from the main body via the first contact portion 802. In addition, the head guide 303 connects the carriage and the head. The read signal and the control signal are the contact portion 802 and the flexible cable 304.
Via the printer to the printer / scanner controller of the apparatus main body.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of components arranged inside the scanner head cartridge of FIG. Inside the cartridge, a flexible board on which the electric parts shown in the figure are mounted is arranged in a substantially box shape so as to enclose the internal optical system parts. In the figure, reference numeral 801 is a connector portion for transmitting and receiving a read control signal by the printer body, and 802 is a contact portion thereof.
Reference numeral 901 is a reading original. 902 is an L light source
The ED light emitting element emits light when power is supplied through the connector portion. A mirror 903 directs the reflected light of the light emitted by the light source 902 to the CCD sensor 904. The analog output of the reflected light detected by the CCD sensor 904 is amplified by the amplifier 905. 906
Is a scanner controller IC. This IC 906 transmits / receives data / commands to / from the main body, outputs a control signal of a scanner operation LED, CCD or the like according to a command from the main body, and amplifies analog data read from the CCD to the A / D conversion block 9061 and the main body. It controls the sending to the. Reference numeral 907 denotes a work SRAM for performing two A / D reference values including a white reference value and an offset value, the operating state of the scanner, and expansion of read data. A temperature sensor 908 detects the ambient environment temperature. The sending and receiving of commands from the main body is performed at the register level of the IO port in the scanner controller 906. FIG. 10 shows this register map.

11 and 12 are views showing the paths of the optical system components and the reading reflected light, which will be briefly described below. In the case 2, a cylindrical rod lens 6 which is a light converging means is provided in the LE in proximity to the LED 3 which is a light source.
It is installed parallel to the direction of D3. The irradiation center of the LED 3 passes through the center of the lens working surface of the rod lens 6, and the document surface is obliquely irradiated. The reflected light from the original passes through the field lens 7 which is the first image forming system lens whose optical axis center is provided in a direction substantially perpendicular to the original, and the reflected light is a mirror provided parallel to the reading width direction. The optical axis is bent 90 ° by 5 to form a light beam substantially parallel to the original. 11 is an aperture,
The image plane of the field lens 7 is at this position. A second imaging system lens is provided behind the aperture 11. The image forming position of the image forming lens is the position of the CCD sensor 13.

FIG. 13 shows details of the path of the reading reflected light shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. It is composed of a view of the path of the reflected light viewed from the lateral direction and a view of the path viewed from above. Reference numeral 1301 indicates a light path. The scan target line 1302 indicates the position where the reflected light reaching the CCD sensor 904 from the LED 902 is reflected on the reading original paper 901. As is apparent from the view seen from above, the light emitted from the plurality of LEDs 902 arranged in a line is reflected by the scan target line 1302,
The light is collected by the light receiving lens 3 and the mirror 3 and reaches a plurality of CCD sensors 904 arranged in a line. Each CCD sensor 904 corresponds to each pixel of the read image. In a small-sized and inexpensive structure, the number of LEDs 902 cannot be increased sufficiently, so that the reflected light reaching the CCD sensors 904 located at both ends in the row is smaller than that in the center.

FIG. 14 shows an ideal structure of an optical part, a small size,
It is a figure which compares with the structure of an inexpensive optical part. Above figure (a)
The expensive penta prism 1401 is adopted in
Light enters perpendicularly to the read original sheet 901.
Therefore, even if the height of the paper surface changes like 1402, 1403, and 1404, the reflected light reaching the light receiving lens and the mirror 903 does not change. On the other hand, in a compact and inexpensive structure, since the penta prism is not provided, the light reaches an angle θ such as a reflection angle 1405 as shown in FIG. Due to the miniaturization, it is difficult to reduce the angle θ by moving away from the paper surface. As a result, when the height of the paper surface changes, the reflected light reaching the light receiving lens and the mirror 903 is displaced.
The inexpensive light receiving lens and the mirror 903 have low gains at both ends, and the gain when reflected at the paper surface reference position of 1402 is maximized, and the gain decreases even if the paper surface floats or sinks.

Below, the number of LEDs 902 is small, the length of the light receiving lens and the mirror 903 is short, and the CCD sensor 904
The number of sensors is 128 and the distance between each sensor is 1/360
A scanner head carting 800 having an inch and a scan width of 0.36 inch will be described. FIG. 15 shows an operation example when the entire area of the reading original paper 901 is scanned using the scanner head cartridge 800. The scanning process is performed by the CCD sensor 9 in the column direction.
This is performed by moving the head in which 128 04s are arranged in the line direction, but the scan width in the column direction is only 0.6 inch by itself. Therefore, in order to scan the entire area of the reading original paper 901, it is necessary to carry out the same scanning process again by fielding the paper by the scanning width after the one-line scanning process. Therefore, in this apparatus, the scanner head cartridge 800 is moved like the locus of the scanner head shown by 1501 to perform the scanning process a plurality of times.

FIG. 16 shows the relationship among the accumulation time, the carriage speed, and the line-direction reading resolution. The accumulation time is the time required to read one pixel, and the carriage speed is the speed at which the scanner head cartridge 800 moves in the line direction. At this time, the reading resolution in the line direction is expressed by the following formula.

Reading resolution in the line direction = 1 / (accumulation time * carriage speed) Hereinafter, in the apparatus according to the present embodiment, the accumulation time is 256 microseconds when the reading resolution in the line direction is 360 dpi, and the accumulation when the accumulation time is 180 dpi. A case where the time is 512 microseconds will be described. Figure 17 shows host 2
12 is a diagram showing a dedicated status port used for exchanging information between 00 and the printer 219. FIG. 170
The status port 1 indicated by 1 is composed of 8 bits and is used for exchanging information regarding the status of the other status ports and the printer 219. The status port 2 shown by 1702 is composed of 16 bits and is used for exchanging commands and data. The status port 3 indicated by 1703 is composed of 16 bits and is used for sending image data for printing from the host 200 to the printer 219.

FIG. 18 illustrates the status port 1 1701. Each bit is host 20
0, the printer 219 can refer to both.
Bit 0 of 1801 is 1 when data is sent from the host 200 to the printer 219 via the status port 2 of 1702, and 0 when not. Bit 1 of 1802 is set to printer 2 via status port 2 of 1702.
When data is being sent from 19 to the host 200 1,
If not, it becomes 0. Bit 2 1803 is sent from the host 200 to the printer 2 via the status port 3 1703.
It becomes 0 when data can be sent to 19, and 1 when not. Bit 3 of 1804 is 0 when the power of the printer 219 is on, and 1 when it is not. Bit 4 of 1805 is 1 when the printer 219 is in the busy state, re
It becomes 0 in the ady state. 1806 bit 5
It becomes 1 when the status ports 701 to 1703 are being initialized, and becomes 0 when the status ports have been initialized.

FIG. 19 is a list of commands sent from the host 200 to the printer 219 via the status port 2 1702. The host 200 writes these commands to the status port 2 of 1702 and then returns 18
Set bit 0 of 01. Upon detecting that bit 0 of 1801 is set, the printer 219 performs processing according to the command written in the status port 2 of 1702 and drops bit 0 of 1801. Upon completion of this processing, write the result to status port 2 of 1702 1
Set bit 1 of 802. The host 200 reads the contents of the status port 2 of 1702 as soon as it detects that bit 1 of 1802 is set, and drops bit 1 of 1802 when the reading is completed.

The details of the command will be described below.
1000H shown in 1901 is status port 1,
A few initializations are performed. 4 shown in 1902
000H is a command for transferring a print image. After writing this command, by writing the image data itself to the status port 3 of 1703,
It is possible to print. 800 shown in 1903
0H to 8F78H are commands for reading the scanner, and the following 12 bits indicate the feed amount after the image scanning operation. When the command is written, the read image data is sequentially sent from the printer 219 to the host 200 via the status port 2 of 1702. After this image data is transferred, the operation is completed after feeding the feed amount indicated by the value of the lower 12 bits. Here, the unit of the feed amount is 1/360 inch.

9000H to 9F78H shown in 1904
Is a command for instructing the feed, and the lower 12
The feed amount is specified by the bit value. The unit of feed amount is 1/360 inch. 9FF0 shown in 1905
H is a command for instructing paper discharge. 9FF1H shown in 1906 is a command for instructing paper feeding. 1907
A801H shown in FIG. 20 is a command for acquiring the information of the head unit currently installed in the printer 219. When this command is issued, the 1-byte head unit information shown in FIG.
Is sent to the host 200 via the status port 2 of. The bit 0 shown in 2001 of FIG. 20 indicates the type of the head unit currently mounted in the printer 219, and 0 means that the scanner head is mounted and 1 means that the print head is mounted. . Bit 1 shown in 2002 indicates whether or not a head unit is currently installed in the printer 219, and 0 means no head unit and 1 means head unit present.

An A805H shown at 1908 in FIG. 19 is a command for acquiring the setting value of the reading resolution currently set in the printer 219. When this command is issued, the printer 219 stores the 1-byte value shown in FIG. The reading resolution information is sent to the host 200.
When bit 0 shown in 2101 in FIG. 21 is 1, 360d
pi, when the bit 1 shown in 2102 is 1, 180 dp
When the bit 2 shown in i, 2103 is 1, it means 90 dpi. No two or more of these bits can be 1 at the same time. AD00H to AD3FH shown in 1909 are commands for acquiring the white reference value detected at the accumulation time of 512 microseconds, and the lower 8 bits correspond to dots 0 to 127 of the head in order. Upon receiving this command, the printer 219 sends back the 1-byte white reference value set to the corresponding dot to the host 200 via the status port 2 of 1702.

AD40H to AD7FH shown in 1910
Is a command for acquiring the white reference value detected at the accumulation time of 256 microseconds, and the lower 8 bits correspond to dots 0 to 127 of the head in order. Upon receiving this command, the printer 219 sets the 1-byte white reference value set in the corresponding dot to the status port 2 of 1702.
It is sent back to the host 200 via. A shown in 1911
D80H is a command for acquiring the ID of the mounted head unit. Upon receiving this command, the printer 219 sends the ID back to the host 200 via the status port 2 of 1702. AD81H shown in 1912 is a command for acquiring the in-machine temperature information of the printer 219. Upon receiving this command, the printer 219 outputs 1 byte of the above-mentioned in-machine temperature information to 1
It is sent back to the host 200 via the status port 2 of 702.

ADF0H shown at 1913 is a command for performing a white reference value detection actual operation. Upon receiving this command, the printer 219 performs the white reference value detection operation for each of the accumulation times of 512 microseconds and 256 microseconds. B805H shown in 1914 is a command for setting a new reading resolution in the printer 219, and after the command is activated, the printer 2 continues.
By sending the 1-byte read resolution information shown in FIG. 21 to 19, a new read resolution can be set. BD00H to BD3FH shown in 1915 are commands for sending the white reference value at the accumulation time of 512 microseconds from the host 200 to the RAM 403 in the printer 219, and the lower 8 bits correspond to the dots 0 to 127 of the head in order. There is. By sending a 1-byte white reference value to the printer 219 continuously after issuing this command, the white reference value of the corresponding dot can be set. RAM
The white reference value in 403 is written in the scanner head immediately before the actual scanning operation is performed.

BD40H to BD7FH shown in 1916
Shows the white reference value when the storage time is 256 microseconds
0 is a command to send to the RAM 403 in the printer 219, and the lower 8 bits are head dots 0 to 12
It corresponds to 7 in sequence. By sending a 1-byte white reference value to the printer 219 continuously after issuing this command,
The white reference value of the corresponding dot can be set. R
The white reference value in AM403 is written in the scanner head immediately before the actual scanning operation is performed. BD shown in 1917
F0H is a command for writing the white reference value set in the RAM 403 in the printer 219 to the scanner head. D000H shown at 1918 is a command for moving the carriage to the head replacement position. Upon receiving this command, the printer 219 performs the initialization process of the head unit and then moves the carriage to the home position. D100H shown in 1919 is a command for returning the carriage from the head replacement position to the home position. When this command is received, the printer 2
Reference numeral 19 moves the carriage to the home position after performing initialization processing of the head unit.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the scanner head mounting processing procedure by the dedicated software program in the first embodiment. FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing an image reading processing procedure by the dedicated software program in the first embodiment.
FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a VRAM work area for storing the recent ambient temperature in the actual state of this embodiment. 2 in the figure
4-1 is an ambient temperature storage area recently.

Next, in the first embodiment, a scanner head 80 is used by using a dedicated software program.
A process of mounting 0 on the carriage 301 will be described with reference to FIG. In process 22-1 in FIG. 22, the program issues a command 1901 to initialize the status port. Next, in process 22-2, a command 1918 is issued and the carriage of the printer 219 is moved to the head replacement position. Next, in process 22-3,
The apparatus user manually mounts the scanner head 800 on the carriage 301. Next, in process 22-4,
The program issues a command 1919 to end head replacement.

Next, in the first embodiment, by the scanner device using the dedicated software program,
A process of reading image data from a document will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24. In process 23-1 in FIG. 23, the program issues a command 1901 to initialize the status port. Next, in process 23-2, the command 1912 is issued and the ambient temperature of the scanner unit is acquired from the temperature sensor. Next, in process 23-3, it is checked whether the recent ambient temperature data storage area 24-1 in the VRAM work area in FIG. 24 stores recent temperature data. If the latest ambient environment temperature is not stored, the process proceeds to 23-5, the acquired ambient environment temperature is stored in the VRAM work area, and the process proceeds to process 23-6. If the ambient temperature is stored, the process is 23-
4, the difference between the acquired ambient temperature and the value of the latest ambient temperature stored in the VRAM work area is 1
Check if it exceeds 0 degrees (permissible change in temperature). If the difference exceeds 10 degrees, the process proceeds to 23-5, the acquired ambient temperature is stored in the VRAM work area, and then the process proceeds to process 23-6. In process 23-6,
The program issues a command 1913 to cause the scanner device to perform a white reference value detection operation. At this time, the detected white reference value is automatically stored in the SRAM 907 by the scanner controller IC 906. After that, unless the white reference value detection operation is re-executed, the acquired white reference value is SR.
Save in AM907. Next, the process proceeds to 23-7.

On the other hand, if the temperature difference does not exceed 10 degrees in the process 23-4, the process proceeds to 23-7. In process 23-7, the program issues the command 1906 to feed the document. Next, in process 23-8, the command 1914 is issued to set the reading resolution. Next, in processing 23-9, 23-10, 23-11, the program issues the command 1903 to cause the scanner device to execute the image reading processing, and acquires the image data. At this time, the scanning device uses the white reference value stored in the SRAM 907 as a reference for the A / D conversion process. Then, the acquired data is saved in a file existing on the hard disk 204, and this processing is repeatedly executed until all necessary image reading is completed. Finally, in process 23-12, the program
The command 1906 is issued, the original is ejected, and the original reading process is ended.

Next, a second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing an image reading processing procedure by the dedicated software program in the second embodiment. FIG. 26 shows the second embodiment.
It is a figure showing the content of the white reference database created by associating the white reference value, the ambient environment temperature, and the scan count (light source deterioration index) contained in the file existing on the hard disk 204. In the figure, 26-1 is a total scan count area, 26-2 is a white reference value acquisition scan count area, 26-3 is a white reference value storage area, and 26-4 to are temperature data areas.

The white reference database sets the ambient temperature to 1
There is a temperature data area for each simple ambient temperature calculated by rounding down to
It has a white reference value acquisition scan count area 26-2 and a white reference value storage area 26-3. That is, when the ambient environment temperature at the time of reading an image is 0 to 9 degrees, the simple ambient environment temperature is 0 degree, and the 0 degree area 2 associated with this value.
There are 6-4. Similarly, when the ambient environment temperature is 0 to 19 degrees, the simple ambient environment temperature is 10 degrees, and the 10 degree area 26-5 is associated with this value. Further, even at temperatures higher than this, there are areas similarly associated with the simple ambient temperature, and each area has a white reference value acquisition scan count area 26-2 and a white reference value storage area 2
Have 6-3.

Next, in another embodiment, a process of reading image data from a document by a scanner device using a dedicated software program will be described with reference to FIGS.
6 will be described. In process 25-1 in FIG. 25, the program issues a command 1901 to initialize the status port. Next, in process 25-2, the command 1912 is issued to acquire the ambient temperature of the scanner device. Next, in process 25-3, the acquired ambient environment temperature is rounded down to the nearest unit and the simple ambient environment temperature is calculated.

Next, in process 25-4, the white reference value acquisition scan count area 26-2 for the temperature reference area corresponding to the simple ambient temperature calculated in process 25-3 is read out from the white reference database shown in FIG. Check if is saved. If the data is saved, the process proceeds to 25-5, and if the data is not saved, the process proceeds to 25-8. Next, in process 25-5, the program reads the total scan count stored in the total scan count area 26-1,
The difference from the scan count at the time of acquiring the white reference value read in the process 25-4 is calculated. If this difference does not exceed 100 (permissible light source deterioration fixed amount), the process proceeds to 25-6,
If this difference exceeds 100 (allowable light source deterioration fixed amount), the process proceeds to 25-8.

Next, in process 25-6, the program reads the white reference value from the white reference value storage area 26-3 of the temperature data area corresponding to the simple ambient temperature calculated in process 25-3. Then, in processing 25-7, commands 1915, 1916, and 1917 are issued, and the white reference value read in processing 25-6 is written in the SRAM 907 of the scanner head. After this, the process is 25-
Proceed to 11.

In process 25-8, the program issues a command 1913 to cause the scanner device to perform the white reference value detection operation. At this time, the white reference value detected is automatically transferred to the SRAM 9 by the scanner controller IC 906.
It is stored in 07. After that, the white reference value continues to be stored in the SRAM 907 unless the white reference value detection operation is performed again. Next, in process 25-9, the program issues commands 1909 and 1910 to read the white reference value stored in the SRAM 907. Next, the white reference value read in the process 25-10 is stored in the white reference value storage area 26-3 of the temperature data area corresponding to the simple ambient temperature calculated in the process 25-3. Next, in processing 25-11, the program executes the total scan count area 26.
The total scan count stored in -1 is read out and stored in the white reference value acquisition scan count area 26-2 of the temperature data area corresponding to the simple ambient temperature calculated in the processing 25-3. Next, the process proceeds to 25-12.

In process 25-12, the program issues a command 1906 to feed the original. Next process 2
In 5-13, the command 1914 is issued and the reading resolution is set. Next, processing 25-14, 25-1
5, 25-16, the program is command 190
3 is issued and the scanner device is caused to execute the image reading processing, and the image data is acquired. At this time, the scanning device
The white reference value stored in the SRAM 907 is used as a reference for the A / D conversion process. Then, the acquired data is saved in a file existing on the hard disk 204, and until all necessary image reading is completed,
This process is repeated. Next, in process 25-17, the command 1906 is issued and the document is ejected. Finally, in process 25-18, the program increments the value of the total scan count stored in the total scan count area 26-1 by 1 and ends the document reading process.

Next, a third embodiment will be described.
FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an image reading processing procedure by the dedicated software program in the third embodiment. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the contents of a white reference database created by associating an amount of change in ambient environment temperature with a correction amount of a white reference value, which is included in a file existing on the hard disk 204 in the third embodiment. Is. In FIG. 28, 28-1 is a recent ambient temperature storage area. 28-2 is an ambient temperature change amount area, 28
-3 is a white reference value correction amount area. The white reference database stores the correction amount of the white reference value corresponding to the change amount of each ambient environment temperature. That is, FIG.
The white reference value correction amount area 2 is included in the ambient environment temperature change amount 1 stored in the middle and ambient environment temperature change amount area 28-2.
8-3 corresponds to the white reference correction amount 1 stored in 8-3, the ambient environment temperature change amount 2 corresponds to the white reference correction amount 2 stored in the white reference value correction amount area 28-3, and so on. The same applies to the value of. Actually, the ambient temperature change amount 5 to
Data is stored in the form of a white reference correction amount +0.1 (+ 10%) corresponding to 10 degrees.

Next, in the third embodiment, the scanner apparatus uses a dedicated software program,
A process of reading image data from a document will be described with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28. In process 27-1 in FIG. 27, the program issues a command 1901 to initialize the status port. Next, in process 27-2, the command 1912 is issued to acquire the ambient temperature of the scanner device.

Next, in process 27-3, it is checked whether or not temperature data is recently stored in the ambient temperature storage area 28-1 of the white reference database in FIG. If the ambient environment temperature has not been recently stored, the process proceeds to 27-4, the acquired ambient environment temperature is recently stored in the ambient environment temperature storage area, and the process proceeds to process 27-5. In process 27-5, the program issues a command 1913 to cause the scanner device to perform the white reference value detection operation. At this time, the detected white reference value is automatically stored in the SRAM 907 by the scanner controller IC 906. Thereafter, the acquired white reference value is stored in the SRAM 907 unless the white reference value detection operation is performed again. Next, the processing advances to 27-11.

On the other hand, if the ambient environment temperature has been recently stored in the ambient environment storage area 28-1 in the process 27-3, the process proceeds to 27-6, and the program causes the acquired ambient environment temperature and the latest ambient environment to be stored. The difference between the values of the recent ambient environment temperature (the amount of change in the ambient environment temperature) stored in the temperature area 28-1 is calculated. Next, in process 27-7, the program refers to the ambient environment temperature change area 28-2 and the white reference value correction amount area 28-3 of the white reference database in FIG. 28, and calculates the ambient environment temperature in process 27-6. The white reference value correction amount corresponding to the change amount is read.

Next, in processing 27-8, the program issues the commands 1909 and 1910, and the SRAM 90
Read the white standard value stored in 7. Next, process 27
The white reference value read in -9 is corrected according to the white reference correction amount read in process 27-7. Actually, the correction value is obtained by the following calculation formula. White reference correction value = White reference value x (1 + White reference correction amount)

Next, in process 27-10, the program issues commands 1915, 1916, 1917 and writes the white reference value corrected in process 27-9 in the SRAM 907 of the scanner head. After this, the process is 27-1.
Proceed to 1. In process 27-11, the program issues a command 1906 and feeds a document. Next, process 27-
In 12, the command 1914 is issued to set the reading resolution. Next, processing 27-13, 27-14, 27
In -15, the program issues a command 1903 to cause the scanner device to execute an image reading process, and acquires image data. At this time, the scanning device uses the white reference value stored in the SRAM 907 as a reference for the A / D conversion process. Then, the acquired data is saved in a file existing on the hard disk 204,
This process is repeated until all necessary images have been read. Finally, in process 27-16, the program issues a command 1905, ejects the document, and ends the document reading process.

As described above, in a small and low-priced printer / scanner device having a function of reading a document image by mounting a detachable scanner head cartridge on the carriage of a serial printer,
If the ambient temperature exceeds the permissible temperature change amount, or if the deterioration of the light source exceeds the permissible light source deterioration amount, the white reference value is re-acquired to make the output constant and provide stable high image quality. It can be realized.

[0061]

As described above, according to the first invention, the reacquisition of the reference data is not necessarily performed at the time of reading the image, but is limited to the case where the ambient temperature or the allowable temperature change amount is exceeded. This makes it possible to reduce the load on the user and the time.

According to the second and third inventions,
Re-acquisition of the reference data is not necessarily performed when the image is read, but it is possible to reduce the user's load and time by limiting the case where the data does not exist in the reference database.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the re-acquisition of the reference data is not necessarily performed at the time of reading the image, but is limited to the case where the reference data has not been acquired even once. Can be reduced.

Further, according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the reacquisition of the reference data is not always performed at the time of reading the image, but when the deterioration of the light source exceeds the allowable light source deterioration amount, and when the data does not exist in the reference database. By limiting, it becomes possible to reduce the load and time of the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a serial printer / according to an embodiment of the invention.
It is an external view of a personal computer with a built-in scanner device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a personal computer with a built-in serial printer / scanner device.

FIG. 3 is an external view of a serial printer / scanner device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a serial printer / scanner device.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a serial printer / scanner controller.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a map of an IO data register of the serial printer / scanner device.

7 is a configuration diagram showing address areas of a recording data buffer and a receiving buffer on a RAM 403. FIG.

FIG. 8 is an external view of a scanner head cartridge.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a scanner head cartridge.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an IO port register map in the scan controller 906 of the scanner head cartridge.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an optical system component of a scanner head cartridge and a path of read reflected light.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing an optical system component of a scanner head cartridge and a path of reflected light for reading.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a path of read reflected light of the scanner head cartridge.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram for comparing an ideal configuration of an optical section with an optical section of a scanner head cartridge.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram showing a head operation when an image is read using a scanner head cartridge.

FIG. 16 shows the accumulation time and carriage speed of the scanner device,
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a reading resolution in the line direction.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a dedicated status port used for exchanging information between the host 200 of the personal computer with a built-in serial printer / scanner device and the printer 219.

FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram illustrating a dedicated status port 1 used for exchanging information between a host 200 of a personal computer with a built-in serial printer / scanner device and a printer 219.

FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram showing various control commands in the serial printer / scanner apparatus.

20 is a configuration diagram illustrating a dedicated status port 2 used for exchanging information between a host 200 of a personal computer with a built-in serial printer / scanner device and a printer 219. FIG.

FIG. 21 is a configuration diagram illustrating a dedicated status port 3 used for exchanging information between a host 200 of a personal computer with a built-in serial printer / scanner device and a printer 219.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a scanner head mounting procedure according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an image reading processing procedure according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a VRA according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a block diagram explaining M work area.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an image reading processing procedure according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a configuration diagram illustrating a white reference database according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an image reading processing procedure according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a configuration diagram illustrating a white reference database according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 901 Document 904 CCD Sensor 906 Scanner Controller IC 908 Temperature Sensor 301 Carriage 800 Scanner Head Cartridge

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A photoelectric conversion means for reading a document and a reference surface, a detection means for detecting an ambient temperature, a storage means for storing the temperature detected when the photoelectric conversion means reads the reference surface, When the temperature detected before reading the original changes from the recent temperature stored in the storage means by a predetermined amount or more, the photoelectric conversion means is caused to read the reference surface, and the read value is used as reference data. A scanner device having a control means for storing. 2. A photoelectric conversion means for reading a document and a reference surface, a detection means for detecting an ambient temperature, reference data obtained by the photoelectric conversion means reading the reference surface, and detection when the reference data is obtained. A scanner device comprising: a creating unit that creates a database that associates the obtained temperature with the database; and the database. 3. The database is referred to, if reference data associated with the temperature exists in the database, the reference data is used, and the reference data is remeasured if the associated reference data does not exist in the database. The scanner device according to claim 2, further comprising a control unit that performs control for performing. 4. A photoelectric conversion means for reading a document and a reference surface, a detection means for detecting an ambient temperature, and reference data obtained by reading the reference surface by the photoelectric conversion means is corrected according to the detected temperature. A scanner device including a correction unit for 5. A photoelectric conversion means for reading a document and a reference surface, a counting means for counting the number of times of reading, reference data obtained by the photoelectric conversion means for reading the reference surface, and a count number of the counting means is predetermined. A scanner device comprising: a control unit that controls to re-measure the reference data when the value exceeds a value. 6. The scanner device according to claim 1, wherein the reference surface is a white reference surface, and the reference data is white reference data. 7. The scanner device according to claim 1, wherein the reference surface is a black reference surface, and the reference data is black reference data. 8. The scanner device according to claim 7, wherein the black reference surface is a surface when a light source for illuminating the original is turned off. 9. The scanner device according to claim 1, wherein the photoelectric conversion means is a CCD line sensor. 10. The cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising mounting means for accommodating the respective means in a cartridge and detachably mounting the cartridge on a carriage movably provided on the printer. Scanner device. 11. An A / D conversion means for converting a signal obtained from the photoelectric conversion means into a digital signal is provided, and a reference value of the A / D conversion means is controlled according to the reference data. The scanner device according to any one of 1 to 5. 12. The scanner according to claim 1, further comprising optical system means including a light source for illuminating the original and the reference surface, and a lens for guiding the reflected light to the photoelectric conversion means. apparatus. 13. The scanner device according to claim 1, further comprising amplification means for amplifying a signal obtained from the photoelectric conversion means. 14. The scanner device according to claim 10, wherein said mounting means includes contact means for electrically connecting with said printer. 15. The scanner device according to claim 10, wherein the cartridge is mounted on the carriage in an alternative manner to a print head used in the printer.