JPH11234578A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the image reader by which an image is photographed dividedly with high positioning precision. SOLUTION: The reader 10 is provided with a 2nd photographing unit 70 that photographs a specific part of an object area in addition to a 1st photographing unit 20 that divides the object area while changing a photographing direction and that photographs each division with magnification. In the case that the 1st photographing unit 20 is moved to change the photographing direction, the 1st and 2nd photographing units 20, 70 conduct photographing and a corresponding point in a specific area is extracted by comparing both the photographed images to detect the photographing direction after 1st unit 20 with respect to the photographing direction of the 2nd photographing unit 70. The movement of the reader main body is detected from a change in the image photographed by the 2nd photographing unit 70 so as to regulate drive of a scanning drive unit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, and more particularly, to an image reading apparatus which divides an object area into a plurality of partial areas and sequentially enlarges the image so that one image of the entire object area can be synthesized later. Related to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a subject area is divided into a plurality of partial areas, and each partial area is enlarged and photographed several times using an image sensor (for example, an area sensor or a line sensor). For example, digital cameras and digital scanners have been proposed as image reading apparatuses that read images. This type of image reading apparatus captures each partial area so that the read images of the respective partial areas are later joined together and one image of the entire subject area (also referred to as an “entire combined image”) can be combined. Since the image of each partial region is enlarged and photographed by using the entire image sensor as effectively as possible, the resolution is high. Therefore, this type of image reading apparatus can obtain a high-resolution whole composite image at low cost as compared with a case where the entire subject area is photographed once using the same image sensor.

In the field of conventional image reading apparatuses, the following techniques are known. That is, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-20462 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-20463.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-26095 discloses a handy scanner that scans a sheet-shaped document to divide and read an image. In a handy scanner, a roller that rotates in contact with the document is provided, and the rotation angle is detected to align the image. Are disclosed. Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-62627 discloses a technique in which a reference line segment is provided in the vicinity of a document and the position of an image is adjusted by reading the line segment. Tokuhei 7-
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 121078 has a fixed sensor for global vision that reads a region including a subject in a wide range, and a movable sensor for local vision that reads a specific subject in detail. It discloses an object that is used for tracking and photographing. Patent Registration No. 2541924 extracts a moving object by analyzing a photographed image,
A device that controls an imaging system to track this is disclosed. 2. Description of the Related Art A blur detection technique of a silver halide camera includes an imaging unit that captures a specific area of a film shooting screen, and detects a shake of an apparatus based on a change in the image.

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional technology has the following problems. That is, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-20462.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei. 5-20463 and Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. Hei 5-20463 require a dedicated detection mechanism, which requires cost and space. If a reduction optical system is used or the imaging resolution is increased, it is necessary to improve the accuracy of positioning, which results in higher costs. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-62627 discloses that a scanner or the like that contacts an apparatus with a subject has a component of the apparatus nearby and a reference line can be provided. This is not possible because the distance between the subject and the device is large. Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-121078 discloses that the sensor for global vision is for roughly detecting the position of a subject, and has a low imaging resolution, and the accuracy required for positioning of the sensor for local vision is low. I can't get it. When the resolution of the macroscopic vision sensor is increased, it takes time to read data and extract a target. In the method disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2541924, the extraction of a moving object is for roughly detecting the position of a subject, and the imaging resolution is low, and the accuracy required for positioning the local vision sensor cannot be obtained. The shake detection technique of the silver halide camera is for detecting the shake of the apparatus, and does not perform scanning of the imaging unit.

An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, a technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of performing divided photographing with high positioning accuracy.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems and Actions / Effects In order to solve the above technical problem, the present invention provides a method for dividing a specific area of a subject area separately from a first image pickup unit for dividing and photographing the subject area. The camera further includes a second imaging unit for photographing,
An image reading apparatus characterized in that the first and second imaging units perform photographing while the imaging unit is moving, and control the movement of the first imaging unit based on both photographed images. I will provide a. The present invention is embodied in the following aspects.

An image reading apparatus according to the present invention is an image reading apparatus that divides the entire subject area into a plurality of partial areas and sequentially takes an image. The image reading apparatus has an optical system and an image sensor, and faces each of the partial areas. A variable-angle first imaging unit capable of capturing an image of each of the partial areas, a scanning drive unit that drives the first imaging unit to face the partial areas in a predetermined order, This is a type including a first imaging unit and control means for controlling the operation of the scanning drive unit. The image reading device further includes a second imaging unit that captures at least a part of the next divided region. The control means includes a photographing means, a photographing direction detecting means, and a drive correcting means. The photographing unit is configured to perform the first and second imaging operations during a period in which the first imaging unit is moved so as to face the second partial region to be imaged next after the imaging of the first partial region is completed. The photographing unit is caused to execute a photographing operation.
The photographing direction detecting means compares photographed images photographed by the first and second image pickup units, and based on an overlap of the two images, the first image pickup unit with respect to a photographing direction of the second image pickup unit. Detecting the shooting direction of. The drive correction means corrects the drive of the scanning drive unit based on the movement of the apparatus main body detected by the imaging direction detected by the imaging direction detection means.

In the above configuration, the scanning drive unit comprises:
The first imaging unit is directed to each partial area in a predetermined order.
That is, the driving of the scanning drive unit moves the first imaging unit, and changes the imaging direction. The first imaging unit forms the subject images of the opposing partial areas as large as possible on the effective area of the image sensor via the optical system, and enlarges and photographs the partial areas. The second imaging unit captures a specific area of the object area, that is, an area around a divided boundary that overlaps with an adjacent partial area,
The fixed direction is photographed with respect to the apparatus body.

In the above configuration, the first and second image pickup units overlap and photograph a specific portion of the object area. Since there is a certain relationship between the photographing directions of the first and second image pickup units and the photographed images, the photographing direction detecting means determines whether the photographing direction of the first and second image pickup units overlaps the photographed images. The imaging direction of the first imaging unit with respect to the imaging direction of the second imaging unit can be detected. For example, the first and second photographed images are compared to extract corresponding points, that is, the same part of the subject included in both the photographed images, and the position and the photographing magnification of the photographed images are used to determine the position of the second photographing unit. The photographing direction of the first imaging unit with respect to the photographing direction can be detected. Since the imaging direction of the second imaging unit is fixed with respect to the apparatus main body, the imaging direction detection means detects the imaging direction of the first imaging unit with respect to the apparatus main body. The control unit can know the shooting direction of the first imaging unit while the first imaging unit is moving, and can adjust the shooting direction of the first imaging unit to a desired direction.

According to the above configuration, the first image pickup unit is driven while watching the image taken by the first image pickup unit. Therefore, it is possible to use a special sensor for detecting the driving state of the first image pickup unit without using a special sensor. High accuracy comparable to the shooting resolution can be secured. Further, in the projection type in which the reference light is projected from the camera body to the object area, a reflector is required near the camera body. However, according to the above configuration, the captured image is used passively, so that Requires no nearby reflectors. Also, always take the latest image of the specific area,
Accordingly, the driving of the first imaging unit is controlled by detecting the shooting direction. Therefore, even if the luminance changes due to a change in the illumination state or the like during the movement of the first imaging unit, the first imaging unit is not moved. The divided shooting position can be set accurately.

Therefore, it is possible to perform divisional photographing with high positioning accuracy.

Preferably, the control means further includes a shake detecting means for detecting a movement of the apparatus main body based on a change in a photographed image of the second image pickup unit. The correction drive unit corrects the drive of the scan drive unit based on the shooting direction of the first imaging unit detected by the shooting direction detection unit and the movement of the apparatus main body detected by the shake detection unit.

In the above configuration, since the photographing direction of the second imaging unit is fixed with respect to the apparatus main body, when the apparatus main body moves (including the tilt), the second imaging unit is moved correspondingly. The captured image moves. From this, the shake detecting means can detect the movement of the apparatus main body. The control unit monitors the movement of the apparatus main body, and drives the first imaging unit so as to detect and correct the movement of the apparatus main body due to camera shake or the like, thereby controlling the first imaging unit. It is possible to set the division photographing position accurately.

Therefore, even if the main body of the apparatus moves, it is possible to perform divisional photographing with high positioning accuracy.

[0016] Preferably, the photographing direction detecting means selects a part which should correspond to a peripheral part of the divided boundary which overlaps the adjacent partial areas in the photographed image photographed by the first photographing unit during the movement. And a selective reading means for selectively reading. The image capturing direction of the first image capturing unit is detected based on the image data read by the selective reading unit and the captured image data of the second image capturing unit.

According to the above arrangement, only the image of the specific portion necessary for detecting the shooting direction of the first image pickup unit is read out of the image picked up by the first image pickup unit and processed. The imaging direction of the unit can be detected at high speed.

Preferably, the object area is photographed by dividing it into four adjacent partial areas vertically and horizontally. The second imaging unit captures an image of an intersection area where the peripheral portions of the four partial areas overlap with each other.

According to the above arrangement, it is possible to divide the object area into as many rectangular screens as possible by using one second image pickup unit and photograph the object area. Therefore, high-resolution shooting can be performed.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 will be described in detail.

As shown in the overall perspective view of FIG. 1 and the main part perspective view of FIG. 2, the digital camera 10 has a first imaging unit 20 simulating an eye and a scanning drive unit 24 in a camera body. , 26, and a second imaging unit 70, and divides the imaging region into a plurality of partial regions so that the first imaging unit 20 sequentially magnifies the image so that one image of the entire imaging region can be synthesized later. You can do it.

The first imaging unit 20 includes a zoom lens 16, a zoom motor 17 (not shown in FIG. 6) for driving the zoom lens 16, and an image sensor 18 as an image sensor. It is configured integrally with the body.
The zoom lens 16 forms a subject image on the image sensor 18. The zoom lens 16 changes the photographing magnification by driving a zoom motor 17. The photographing magnification has a magnification range in which from the entire screen of the object area to the divided image of each partial area can be formed on the image sensor 18 according to the number of divisions of the object area. For example, when dividing the object area into four partial areas of 2 × 2, a double magnification range is required. The imaging sensor 18 is a CCD area sensor, and converts an optical signal of a subject image into an electric signal. The analog electric signal read from the image sensor 18 is converted into a digital signal, as will be described later in detail, and the illuminance and the gradation characteristics are corrected.

The spherical housing of the first imaging unit 20 has a main part perspective view shown in FIG. 2 and a main part sectional view shown in FIG.
Ring-shaped guide member 22 arranged on the subject side
And a scanning drive unit 2 arranged on the opposite side of the subject
4, 26, and the scanning drive unit 24,
26 allows the guide guide member 22 to rotate while sliding.

The scanning drive units 24 and 26 are provided
4 and right and left 26.
Rollers 24a and 26a are fixed to the output shafts of b and 26b. The rollers 24a and 26a are arranged orthogonally in two directions, up and down, left and right, contact the outer peripheral surface of the spherical housing of the first imaging unit 20 with a predetermined pressure, and move the spherical housing toward the center of the guide member 22. Energize. Scanning drive unit 24,
When the motors 24b, 26b rotate, the rollers 24b
Reference numerals a and 26a rotate the spherical housing of the first imaging unit 20 along the guide member 22. As a result, the first imaging unit 20 moves, that is, tilts, and the shooting direction L changes. Therefore, the scanning drive units 24, 2
By controlling the rotation of the motors 24b and 26b, the imaging direction L of the first imaging unit 20 can be arbitrarily controlled in the X and Y directions.

The second image pickup unit 70 includes the image pickup sensor 7
2 and a lens 74 so that a subject image in a specific area of the subject area is formed on the image sensor 72. The imaging range of the second imaging unit 70 is set to a specific area at the center of the entire imaging area to be imaged by the first imaging unit 20, and the magnification of the lens 74, the number of pixels of the imaging sensor 72, etc. It is determined according to.

Further, the digital camera 10 is provided with a display unit 15 and an operation unit 11 (both shown in FIG. 7) (not shown) on the back surface of the main body. The display unit 15
Including a liquid crystal monitor, it is possible to display a photographed range, that is, a photographed image of a subject area. The operation unit 11 includes an operation start button for instructing shooting preparation and shooting start, a shooting mode setting switch, and the like.

The digital camera 10 determines the photographing range and composition while looking at the liquid crystal monitor of the display unit 15 on the back of the main body, and presses a photographing start button of the operation unit 11 to divide the object area into four parts to perform enlarged photographing. be able to. For more information,
When the shooting start button is half-pressed halfway, the zoom lens 16 is in a wide (short focal length, that is, wide angle) state, and the entire subject area is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor of the display unit 15. Press the shooting start button further and press it completely,
The zoom lens 16 is telephoto (long focal length, ie, telephoto)
In this state, the first imaging unit 20 tilts and changes the shooting direction L to sequentially shoot each of the four divided sub-regions.

Next, a photographing screen of the digital camera 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The screen of the object area S to be photographed is divided into four lines by the dividing lines M and N at the center in the upper, lower, left and right directions.
It is equally divided into two. The divided screens 1 to 1 thus divided
After the partial areas A are sequentially photographed so as to include the image Nos. 4 and 4, the captured images are combined to create one image of the entire subject area S, that is, an entire composite image. The movement of the imaging area is performed by changing the imaging direction L of the first imaging unit 20 by the scanning drive units 24 and 26 described above. The order of photographing can be arbitrarily determined, but here, the order is 1 → 2 → 3 → 4, starting from the upper left and clockwise.

Next, a control method for moving the photographing area will be described with reference to FIG.

The photographing areas G of the respective partial areas are all the same size, and are set to be larger by a predetermined width in the vertical and horizontal directions than the divided screens 1 to 4 divided by the dividing lines M and N described above. I have. Therefore, in the captured images of the partial areas adjacent to each other, the peripheral portions of the dividing lines M and N overlap each other, and the captured images of the four partial areas commonly overlap at the center of the screen of the object area. This commonly overlapping portion will be referred to as an “intersection area”. The second imaging unit 70 is configured to photograph this intersection area.

The control of the movement of the first image pickup unit 20 in the photographing direction by the scanning drive units 24 and 26 is performed by setting a region corresponding to an intersection region in a photographed image of the first image pickup unit 20 as a detection region, And the captured image of the intersection area of the second imaging unit.

Specifically, when the photographing of the screen 1 including the divided screen 1 is completed, the scanning drive unit 26 in the left and right direction is driven to move the photographing area G of the first image pickup unit 20 to the object area S. Scan, ie, move to the right. The first and second imaging units 20 and 70 perform imaging each time a predetermined time elapses while the imaging area G of the first imaging unit 20 is moving. Then, only the image in the detection area is extracted from the captured image of the first imaging unit 20 and the second image is extracted.
Is compared with the image taken by the image pickup unit 70 of FIG. FIG.
As shown in (I) to (III), the target scanning speed is determined in advance, and the detection area is set at a position corresponding to the intersection area on the screen of the imaging area G imaged by the imaging sensor 18 in accordance with this. C1, Ct, and C2 are set, and the positions of the detection areas C1, Ct, and C2 are moved to the left along with the scanning of the imaging area G.

When the target scanning speed is set to V and the movement of the photographing area G is started from the screen 1 and the screen T is photographed when the time t has elapsed, the detection area Ct in the photographing area G of the screen T is determined. Is a position shifted leftward by V · t from the position of the detection area C1 of the shooting area G on the screen 1. A captured image of the detection area Ct of the screen T thus read out,
The captured image of the second image capturing unit 70 is compared with the captured image to find a corresponding portion. The shift amount of the corresponding portion is the shift amount from the target position (speed). Therefore, the moving speed of the photographing area G, that is, the driving of the first image pickup unit 20 by the scanning drive units 24 and 26 is adjusted in accordance with the shift amount. If there is no difference between the two, it means that the driving of the first imaging unit 20 is appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 5 (III), the detection area C2 is set at the lower left end of the photographing area G by moving in the photographing direction.
Has moved to the position of the screen 2 including the split screen 2.

Even when the photographing direction shifts due to camera shake of the photographer during photographing, the photographed image of the second image pickup unit 70 changes accordingly, so that the positional deviation due to this is corrected. The scanning drive units 24 and 26 are controlled. If a vertical shift occurs during the horizontal scan, the correction in this direction is performed similarly. Also, even when the luminance of the subject in the detection area changes due to a change in illuminance or the like during shooting, the first and second imaging units 20 and 70
Are processed in the same manner.

For finding the corresponding point, a known image extraction technique using an edge portion of image data or the like can be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, for the image in the detection area in the image capturing area G of the first image capturing unit 20 and the image captured by the second image capturing unit 70, the edge, for example, the luminance is obtained from the differentiation of the respective image data. Are extracted, and the coordinate values (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) of the corresponding point are extracted.
Is detected by detecting the position shift. In the above-described embodiment, the correction is repeatedly performed during the movement. However, the movement is simply performed to the position of the screen 2, and the amount of the displacement (the displacement due to the driving and the displacement due to the camera shake) is detected at the position. For example, re-driving may be performed so as to correct the amount.

It should be noted that the detection area set in the photographing area G is
Instead of moving along with the movement of the photographing area G, for example, immediately after the photographing of the screen 1 is completed, the detection area is set at the lower left end of the photographing area G corresponding to the screen 2 and the scanning drive units 24 and 26 are moved. There is also a method of driving and moving the photographing area G while waiting for a corresponding point to appear in the detection area at the lower left end of the photographing area G. However, in consideration of camera shake during the movement of the shooting range, changes in the brightness of the subject, changes in the moving speed and moving direction of the first imaging unit 20, and the like, the detection area is updated and the corresponding points are sequentially updated every short time. The above-described method of comparison makes it easier to respond to disturbance.

From the screen 2 including the split screen 2, the split screen 3
5 (III) when moving vertically to the screen 3 including
As shown in (V), the detection areas C2, Ct, and C3 are set at the left end of the imaging area G, and the detection areas C2, Ct, and C3 are changed as the imaging area G moves from top to bottom. By moving upward from the bottom in the shooting area G and selectively reading the image data in the detection area as before, the shooting area G
Control movement.

In order to selectively read data of a specific portion, that is, data of a detection region from the image of the photographing region G, the image sensor 18 may be, for example, a MOS type image sensor capable of reading image data by specifying a pixel address. Or
A frame transfer type CCD imaging device having a function of reading out only image data of a specific row and column may be used. Also,
The part of the captured image that protrudes from the divided screen divided by the dividing lines M and N includes a part of the detection area, but the protruding part is used as a pasting margin when synthesizing the entire composite image. Can also be used.

Next, the configuration of the digital camera 10 will be further described with reference to the circuit block diagram of FIG. The digital camera 10 can be roughly classified into an imaging system and a control system.

The imaging system includes an imaging sensor 18 of the first imaging unit 20, an A / D converter 42 for converting an analog signal from the imaging sensor 18 into a digital signal, and a digital signal from the A / D converter 42. An image memory 44 for temporarily storing data, an image synthesizer 46 for reading data stored in the image memory 44 and synthesizing data of the entire synthesized image,
An image processor 48 that processes the combined data to correct the illuminance and gradation characteristics, and an output unit 49 that outputs the data corrected by the image processor 48 to a recording medium, a display device, or the like are connected in series. ing. Apart from this, an image sensor 72 of the second image pickup unit 70 and an A / D converter 76 for converting an analog signal from the image sensor 72 into a digital signal are further included.

The control system is connected to the CPU 5 via a data bus.
0, the imaging sensor 18 of the first imaging unit 20 and the second
The imaging control unit 19 for controlling the operation of the imaging sensor 72 of the imaging unit 70, the motors 24b and 26b of the scanning drive units 24 and 26, the zoom motor 17 of the first imaging unit 20, and the operation unit on the back of the camera body 14 and the display unit 15, the corresponding point extraction and comparator 66 of the position detection unit, and the image processing control unit 40 are interconnected. The position detection unit includes a partial memory 62, an edge extractor 66, and a corresponding point extraction / comparator 66 connected in series. The partial memory 62 is connected to the image memory 44 and the A / D converter 76. The position detection unit includes the first imaging unit 2
0 in the detection area in the captured image and the data of the image captured by the second imaging unit 70 are stored in the partial memory 62.
The edge is extracted from each image data by the edge extractor 64, the corresponding point is extracted from the corresponding image data by the corresponding point extraction and the comparator 66, the corresponding points are compared, and the corresponding points are compared. Outputs the shift amount. The image processing controller 40 is connected to the image synthesizer 46 and the image processor 48, respectively, and controls image synthesis and image processing. C
An internal memory 52 for storing initial data and the like is connected to the PU 50. The control system includes a photographing control of the first and second imaging units 20 and 70, a magnification control of the zoom lens 16 by the zoom motor 17, a scanning drive unit 2
4 and 26, controlling the detection of the photographing position of the first image pickup unit 20, processing and synthesizing image data, operating control such as photographing start and mode switching, and the like.
The CPU 50 controls.

Next, the operation of the digital camera 10 will be further described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step # 10, the process waits until a photographing preparation signal is input by half-pressing the operation start button. When the shooting preparation signal is input, in step # 12,
The motors 24b and 26b of the scanning drive units 24 and 26 are driven to direct the shooting direction of the first imaging unit 20 toward the center of the object area S. In step # 14, the zoom motor 17 is driven to The zoom lens 16 of the imaging unit 20 is set to a wide state. Next, step # 1
In 6, the first imaging unit 20 photographs the entire subject area S after focusing the zoom lens 16,
In step # 18, the captured image is displayed on the display unit 15. That is, the digital camera 10 displays a captured image of the entire subject area S as a substitute for the viewfinder.
Next, in step # 20, steps # 16 and # 18 are repeated until the operation start button is completely pressed and a shooting start signal is input.

When the photographing start signal is input, the object area S
The operation shifts to the divided shooting operation while the display of the entire shot image is continued. That is, in step # 22, the zoom motor 17 is driven to set the zoom lens 16 to the telephoto state, and in step # 24, the motors 24b and 26b of the scanning drive units 24 and 26 are driven to drive the first imaging unit 20. Is moved to face the partial area which is the first imaging area. And step # 2
In 6, the first imaging unit 20 captures an image of the partial area, A / D converts the image data of the screen 1, and stores it in the image memory 44.

When the photographing of the screen 1 is completed, step # 2
8, the parameter N is set to 2 and step # 30
, The motor 24 of the scanning drive units 24 and 26
b and 26b are driven, and in step # 32, it waits for a predetermined time to elapse. After a lapse of a predetermined time, step # 3
4, the first and second imaging units 20, 70
Performs shooting. Then, in step # 36, the first
In the photographing screen of the imaging unit 20, the detection area is moved by a predetermined amount and only the image of that part is read. In step # 38, the image extracted from the first imaging unit 20 and the photographed image of the second imaging unit 70 are read. In step # 40, a corresponding point is detected by comparing the edge components extracted from the two images. In step # 42, a first point corresponding to the driving amount of the scan driving units 24 and 26 is determined. Next, the scan drive units 24 and 2 of the scan drive units are detected so as to detect the shift amount of the imaging area of the imaging unit 20 and correct the shift.
6 is calculated. In step # 44, the first
Steps # 32 to # 42 are repeated until the image pickup unit 20 takes a picture of the screen 2. That is, until the detection area of the image captured by the first imaging unit 20 reaches the lower left end of the captured image and the corresponding point between the image of the detection area and the image captured by the second imaging unit 70 is no longer shifted. Scanning, photographing, and comparing are sequentially repeated. When the imaging range of the first imaging unit 20 moves to the screen 2, the data of the image captured by the first imaging unit 20 on the screen 2 is A / D converted and stored in the image memory 44 in step # 46. Remember. In step # 48, the parameter N is increased by one, and in step # 50, N
Steps # 30 to # 48 are repeated until the value exceeds 4, and the photographing operation is similarly performed on screens 2 to 3, 3 and 4.

When N exceeds 4, and the divisional photographing of the entire screen is completed, in step # 52, the data of the photographed images of the respective partial areas stored in the image memory 44 are read out and pasted, and one image of the entire subject area is read out. Combine the images of step #
After appropriately performing processing for correcting illuminance, gradation, and the like in 54, the processed data is output in step # 56.

Since the digital camera 10 uses the captured image passively, there is no need for a reflector near the camera main body unlike the light projection type in which reference light is projected from the camera main body to an object area. In addition, since the second image capturing unit 70 always captures the latest image of the intersection area, the luminance changes due to a change in the illumination state while the first image capturing unit 20 is moving, and the camera body due to camera shake or the like. It is possible to accurately set the divided photographing position even if the movement of.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be implemented in various other modes.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the digital camera of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the imaging unit in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a shooting screen of the digital camera in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a photographing operation of the digital camera in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of corresponding point detection of the digital camera in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a circuit block diagram of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the operation of the digital camera in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 digital camera (image reading device) 11 operation unit 15 display unit 16 zoom lens (optical system) 17 zoom motor 18 imaging sensor (imaging element) 19 imaging control unit 20 first imaging unit 22 guide guide member 24 scan drive unit 24a Roller 24b Motor 26 Scanning drive unit 26a Roller 26b Motor 40 Image processing controller 42 A / D converter 44 Image memory 46 Image synthesizer 48 Image processor 49 Output unit 50 CPU (control means, photographing means, photographing direction detecting means, (Blur detection means, drive correction means) 52 Internal memory 62 Partial memory (control means, imaging direction detection means, blur detection means) 64 Edge extractor (control means, imaging direction detection means, blur detection means) 66 Corresponding point extraction, comparison Unit (control means, photographing direction detecting means, blur detecting means) 7 0 second imaging unit 72 imaging sensor 74 lens 76 A / D converter A partial area C, C1, C2, C3, Ct, Cs detection area G imaging area L imaging direction M, N dividing line S imaging area

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image reading apparatus for dividing an entire subject area into a plurality of partial areas and sequentially photographing the plurality of partial areas, comprising: an optical system and an image sensor; A variable-angle first imaging unit capable of photographing each of the images, a scanning drive unit that drives the first imaging unit to face each of the partial areas in a predetermined order, the first imaging unit, An image reading apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to control an operation of the scanning drive unit;
The imaging device further includes: an imaging unit, wherein the control unit is configured to move the first imaging unit to face the second partial region to be imaged next after the end of the imaging of the first partial region, A photographing means for causing the first and second image pickup units to execute a photographing operation; comparing photographed images photographed by the first and second image pickup units; Photographing direction detecting means for detecting a photographing direction of the first image pickup unit with respect to a photographing direction of the image pickup unit; and the scanning drive unit based on the photographing direction of the first image pickup unit detected by the photographing direction detecting means. An image reading apparatus, comprising: a driving correction unit for correcting driving of the image reading apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit further includes a shake detecting unit configured to detect a movement of the apparatus main body based on a change in a captured image of the second image capturing unit, and the correction driving unit detects the movement of the apparatus main body. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive of the scanning drive unit is corrected based on the photographing direction of the first image pickup unit and the movement of the apparatus main body detected by the shake detecting means. 3. The photographing direction detecting means selectively selects a part which should correspond to a peripheral part of the divided boundary which overlaps the adjacent partial areas in the photographed image photographed by the first image pickup unit during the movement. And selecting the photographing direction of the first image pickup unit based on the image data read by the selective read means and the photographed image data of the second image pickup unit. Item 2. The image reading device according to Item 1. 4. The image pickup area is divided into four adjacent partial areas vertically and horizontally for photographing, and in the second image pickup unit, the divided peripheral areas of the four partial areas overlap in common. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the intersection area is photographed.