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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to an image reading arrangement,
and more particularly, to an image input device for reading images
(including characters) of an original document or the like.
Conventionally, the image input device has been generally of a large scale
in construction requiring a beam scanning mechanism, an original document
feeding mechanism, etc. as represented by an image scanner, facsimile
equipment or the like, thus making it difficult to be portable. Meanwhile,
with the development of an information oriented society, a simple and
convenient information collecting means is desired, and as one example
which has realized such a desire is the portable type copying machine now
commercially available.
Although the image input device for the portable type copying machine is
compact in size and capable of manually scanning over an original
document, since the read image information is arranged to be immediately
used for copying, it is impossible to adopt a practice for effecting input
and copying of the image information at different time periods, and
furthermore, the input image information is mostly used only for copying,
and can not be applied to such uses as projection onto a CRT display.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an essential objective of the present invention is to provide
an improved image input device of a portable type, which is compact in
size and light in weight for convenience in handling and arranged to
retain input information so that this information can be outputted at any
time depending on necessity.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide an image input
device of the above described type, which has a simple construction,
functions, with stability and can be readily manufactured at low cost.
In accomplishing these and other objectives, according to one preferred
embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a portable image
input device which includes a light source for reading an original
document, a photo-electric converting element for converting reflected
light from the original document into an electrical signal, a memory
function section having a solid state memory element for storing output of
the photo-electric converting element, an output port for external
connection, and operating keys for operating the image input device.
In the present invention, as described above, when the operating key, for
example, for input is depressed, the light source is illuminated to
establish a reading state and for original document. The image information
is read during the scanning of the original document by manually moving
the image input device over the original document. The read information is
outputted from the photo-electric converting element so as to be
successively stored in the solid state memory element.
Subsequently, for outputting the stored information a device, such as a
printer, CRT display, facsimile equipment, or the like, is connected to
the output port, and upon depression of the operating key for output, the
image information is transmitted to such a device.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provide a portable
image input device of a portable type, which includes a light source, a
photo-electric converting element, an image forming lens, a diffraction
grating device for leading light emitted by the light source and reflected
by an information medium, towards the said photo-electric converting
element, a memory function section having a solid state memory element for
storing output of the photo-electric converting element, an output port
for external connection, and operating keys for operating the image input
device.
In the above construction, however, it is preferable to add a lens to the
diffraction grating device. Furthermore, it is also desirable to
hermetically seal the light source and the photo-electric converting
element within the same cap or housing, and particularly, to use the
diffraction grating device in conjunction with the hermetic sealing.
In the present invention, according to the above described construction,
upon depression of the operating key, for example, for input, the light
source is lit to establish a reading state for reading an information
medium, i.e., original document. In this case, light emitted by the light
source is imparted to the information medium through the diffraction
grating device and the image forming lines the light reflected from the
medium therefrom is led to the photo-electric converting element located
in a position different from that of the light source through the image
forming lens and the diffraction grating. The image information read by
scanning the information medium through manual movement of the image input
device over the information medium. The read information is outputted from
the photo-electric converting element so as to be successively stored in
the solid state memory element, and thus, the image information is stored
by the device.
For outputting the stored information, to with a device, such as a printer,
CRT display, facsimile equipment or the like which is connected to the
output port, the image information is transmitted to such external
equipment by depressing the operation key for output.
In a further aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a
portable image input device which includes a light source, a
photo-electric converting element, an image forming optical system for
collecting light emitted by the light source, onto an information medium
and, for directing reflected light from the medium onto the photo-electric
converting element a memory function section having a solid state memory
element for storing output of the photo-electric converting element, an
output port for external connection, and operating keys for operating the
image input device the image forming optical system is provided with a
portion capable of interchanging lenses by attaching and detaching.
According to the above arrangement of the present invention, upon
depression of the operating key, for example, for input, the light source
is lit to establish a reading state for reading an information medium,
i.e., original document. In this case, light emitted by the light source
is imparted to the information medium in a converged form by the image
forming optical system, and the reflected light is led to the
photo-electric converting element through the image forming optical
system. The image information read by scanning the information medium
through manual movement of the image input device is outputted from the
photo-electric converting element so as to be successively stored in the
solid state memory element, and thus, the image information is stored in
the device.
Since the optical system is arranged to be capable of interchanging the
lenses through attaching or detaching, it is possible to alter the size of
light converging on the information medium, and the image forming
magnification for the photo-electric converting element this,
consequently, enables enlargement or contraction of the input image.
For outputting the stored information to a device, such as a printer, CRT
display, facsimile equipment or the like, which is connected to the output
port, the image information is transmitted to such external equipment in
the manner similar to that described above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objectives and features of the present invention will
become clear from the following description taken in conjunction with the
preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an image input device
according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic side sectional view showing, on an enlarged scale, a
memory function section employed in the image input device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an electrical block diagram showing general construction of the
image input device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing one construction
of a casing to be employed in the image input device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1, which particularly shows a second
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is also a view similar to FIG. 5, which particularly shows a further
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a cross section showing part of the arrangement of FIG. 6 on an
enlarged scale;
FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 1,. which particularly shows a third
embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, which particularly shows a embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Before the description of the present invention proceeds, it is to be noted
that like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout the
accompanying drawings.
Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an image input device M1
according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, which
generally includes a casing 1 of a cylindrical pen-like shape made, for
example, of a synthetic resin and having an opening 2 at its convergent
tip; a light source 3; a photo-electric converting element 4 provided
within the casing 1 in positions adjacent to the opening 2; a memory
function section 5 provided at the upper portion of the casing 1; an input
operating key 12 and an output operating key 13 disposed at an
intermediate portion of the casing 1; an output port 14 for connection
with external appliances; and a resilient stopper or clip H connected at
its one end to the upper outer surface of the casing 1 for retaining the
image input device M1 when it is carried in a pocket of a suit, etc.
The photo-electric converting element 4 of a CCD (charge coupled device)
having a plurality of independent light receiving regions or photodiode
arrays, etc., although not particularly shown. As shown in FIG. 2, the
memory function section 5 further includes a solid memory element 6
composed of a RAM (random access memory), a memory refresh circuit 7, a
CPU (central processing unit) 8, and a power source 9 which are
accommodated in a container 10 having connecting pins 11 extending
outwardly.
FIG. 3 shows a block diagram for an electrical circuit construction
according to the arrangement of FIGS. 1 and 2, described above, in which
the photo-electric converting element 4, the memory element 6, and the
operating keys 12 and 13 are coupled with the CPU 8 which is connected to
the output port 14 as shown.
When the image input device M1 is placed on the original document or
information medium O as shown in FIG. 1, the device M1 is slid in one
direction, with the input operating key 12 depressed causing light to be
emitted by the light source 3 through the opening 2. The light is
reflected by the original document O and is incident upon the
photo-electric converting element 4 which converts the information into an
electrical signal. This electrical signal is applied to the CPU 8 through
a signal line (not shown). The CPU 8 converts the output signal of the
photo-electric converting element 4 into a digital value and causes the
converted data to be stored in the solid state memory element 6.
For outputting the stored image information, to an external appliance (not
shown) which is connected to the output port 14, the image information
successively read out from the solid state memory element 6 is transmitted
to the external appliance through the output port by depressing the output
operator key 13. The external appliance, a printer, CRT display, facsimile
equipment or the like, can be connected to the image input device M1.
In the above embodiment, since the memory refresh circuit 7, the CPU 8, the
solid state memory element 6 and the power source 9 are integrally formed
as a memory function section 5, the memory retaining function may be
continuously maintained, even when the memory function section 5 is taken
from the image input device M1. Accordingly, by exchanging the memory
function section 5 as a cartridge, the device M1 can be used in various
applications without being restricted by the memory capacity. To make the
memory function section 5 exchangeable as described above, it may be, for
example, arranged so that the casing 1 is divided into upper and lower
portions, respectively, and provided with fitting means 1a and 1b at
corresponding edges, as shown in FIG. 4, for engagement or disengagement
of the portions. It is to be noted here that the above embodiment may, for
example, be modified so that, apart from the power source 9 within the
memory function section 5, another power source (not shown) can also be
provided in the casing 1.
As is seen from the foregoing description, the first embodiment of the
present invention, it is very convenient, because the image input is
memorized when necessary by carrying about only the image input device,
and the memorized information may be outputted as required, from the
device that is formed compact in size and light in weight. Furthermore,
since the external appliance is not limited to one kind of a specific use,
the output of the device may be directed to various applications.
Referring also to FIG. 5, there is shown an image input device M2 according
to a second embodiment of the present invention.
The image input device M2 also includes a casing 21 made of a cylindrical
shape, for example, of a synthetic resin with an opening 22 at the
convergent forward end thereof, which is slid over an information medium
or an original document O during input of an image information. A
resilient stopper or clip H is fixed at one end to the upper outer face of
the casing 21, an output port 26 has connecting pins 27 for an external
connection, and is provided in a first recess 28 formed at the upper
portion of the casing 21 to receive a connector (not shown) for
connections with an external appliances to achieve a stable electrical
coupling therewith, and input and output operating keys 29 and 30 are
provided in a second recess 31 formed on the casing 21 at a position below
the first recess 28.
Within the casing 21, there are disposed a power source 32, a memory
function section 33, a photo-electric converting element 34, a light
source 35, a diffraction grating 36 and an image forming lens 37, etc. in
that order from the upper portion of the casing 21. The memory function
section 33 includes a solid state memory element 39 such as a RAM (random
access memory) or the like, and a CPU 38, etc. The photo-electric
converting element 34 is composed of a CCD having a plurality of
independent light receiving regions or photo-diode arrays as in the first
embodiment. The light source 35 may be constructed by a semiconductor
laser and the like.
Since the electrical circuit construction of the image input device M2 of
FIG. 5 is generally the same as in the first embodiment (FIG. 3), a
detailed description thereof is abbreviated here.
In FIG. 5, zero order light (non-diffracted light) from the diffraction
grating 36 for the light emitted from the light source 35, is converged
into a predetermined size onto the information medium O through the image
forming lens 37 so as to irradiate the reading region on the information
medium O. The light reflected therefrom is converged by the image forming
lens 37, and thereafter, is diffracted by the diffraction grating 36, to
form an image on the photo-electric converting element 34.
Now, in the state where the image input device M2 is placed on the
information medium O as shown in FIG. 5, when the device M2 is slid in one
direction, with the input operating key 29 depressed, the image
information in a light form is led to the photo-electric converting
element 34 as described above and is converted into an electrical signal
by the converting element 34 so as to be applied to the CPU 38 through a
signal line (not shown). The CPU 38 converts the output signal of the
photo-electric converting element 34 into a digital value. Also, converted
data is stored in the solid state memory element 39, and thus, the
inputted image information is memorized and retained.
For outputting of the memorized image information, upon depression of the
output operating key 30, with an external appliance (not shown) being
connected to the output port 26, the image information successively read
out from the solid state memory element 39 is transmitted to the external
appliance through the output port 26. An external appliance, a printer,
CRT display, facsimile equipment or the like may be connected to the image
input device M2 as in the first embodiment described earlier.
In the arrangement of FIG. 5, the light source 35 and the point on the
information medium O are not in a conjugate relation. On the other hand,
owing to the necessity for forming the image information from the
information medium O, on the photo-electric converting element 34, it is
required that the point on the information medium O and the light
receiving surface of the photo-electric converting element 34 should
naturally be in a conjugate relation. The light source 35 and the
photo-electric converting element 34 must be disposed in different
positions with respect to the direction of the optical axis. However, this
arrangement undesirably complicates the construction of the casing 21,
thus being disadvantageous for forming compact size of the casing 1.
Accordingly, in a modified image input device M2B as shown in FIG. 6, by
imparting a lens effect (power) to the diffraction grating 36, the light
source 35 and the photo-electric converting element 34 are arranged to be
disposed at the same position with respect to the direction of the optical
axis. By such an arrangement as described above, not only is the casing
structure simplified, and a compact size of the image input device
achieved, but also, the light source 35 and the photo-electric converting
element 34 can be mounted within one housing as shown in FIG. 7.
As described earlier, semiconductor devices are normally employed for the
light source 35 and the photo-electric converting element 34. Because the
characteristics of such semiconductor devices deteriorate due to influence
of the atmosphere such as moisture, oxygen, etc., hermetic sealing is
required therefor. However, in a construction in which the light source 35
and the photo-electric converting element 34 are considerably deviated in
positions with respect to the direction of the optical axis as shown in
FIG. 5, the light source 35 and the photo-electric converting element 34
must be sealed separately. In the arrangement of FIG. 6, because the light
source 35 and the photo-electric converting element 34 are located at the
same position with respect to the optical axis direction, they may be
accommodated in one hermetically sealed housing as shown in FIG. 7.
In the arrangement of FIG. 7, the housing includes a stem 40 having
terminal pins 41 extending downward therefrom, a cap 42 mounted on the
stem 40 and having an opening 43 formed at an upper portion, and the
diffraction grating 36 being attached to the cap 42 so as to close the
opening 43. The light source 35 and the photo-electric converting element
34 are disposed side by side on a flat surface 40a of the stem 40, while
an optical detector 44 for monitoring, which outputs a correction signal
for making the light amount constant by directly receiving light of the
light source 35, is provided on a stepped portion 40b lower in height than
the flat surface 40a of the stem 40 by one step.
In FIG. 7, although there is shown an example in which the diffraction
grating is employed as a window for a simplification in for hermetically
sealing the device, the diffraction grating may be replaced by an ordinary
glass plate, with the diffraction grating 36 being provided at the inner
side or outer side of the sealing.
It is to be noted that the arrangement in FIG. 5 may be modified so that
the photo-electric converting element 34 is disposed on the optical axis,
and the light source 35 is provided outside the optical axis, with
respective positions thereof in the direction of the optical axis for
maintaining the image forming lens 37.
Meanwhile, in the arrangement of FIG. 6, the positions of the light source
35 and the photo-electric element 34 may be exchanged with each other, and
by imparting a light diffusing effect to the diffraction grating 36, a
similar effect may be obtained.
As is also referred to earlier, by arranging the memory function section 33
in the form of a replaceable cartridge, it is possible to cause the image
input device to correspond to various applications without restriction by
the memory capacity. For allowing the memory function section to be
replaceable as referred to above, the casing 21 may, for example, be
divided into upper and lower portions, with fitting means being provided
thereon for selective engagement or disengagement therebetween.
According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the image
input is conveniently memorized when necessary by carrying about only the
image input device, and the memorized information may be outputted as
required, while the device can be formed of a compact size and of a light
weight. Moreover, since the external appliance is not limited to a
specific use, the output of the device may be directed to various
applications as in the first embodiment.
Referring further to FIG. 8, there is shown an image input device M3
according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
The image input device M3 similarly includes a casing 51 made of a
cylindrical shape for example, of a synthetic resin having an opening 52
at the convergent forward end thereof which is slid over an information
medium or original document O during input of, image information. The
casing 51 is composed of a main body portion 51a and a forward end portion
51b which is detachably mounted onto the main body portion 51a for
exchanging through a fitting construction 54, and a detachable spare
forward end portion 51c for replacement on the other end (i.e., the upper
end in FIG. 8) of the casing 51. A resilient stopper or clip H is fixed at
one end to an upper outer face of the casing 51, an output port 56 has
connecting pins 57 for external connection, provided in a first recess 58
formed at the upper portion of the casing 51 to receive a connector not
shown) for connection with external appliances to achieve a stable
electric coupling therewith. Input output operating keys 59 and 60 are
provided in a second recess 61 formed on the casing 51 at a position below
the first recess 58.
Within the casing 51, there are disposed a power source 62, a memory
function section 63, a photo-electric converting element 64, a light
source 65, a diffraction grating 66 and a first condenser lens 67 and a
second condenser lens 68, etc., in that order from the upper portion of
the casing 51. The memory function section 63 includes a solid state
memory element 71 such as a RAM (random access memory) or the like, and a
CPU 70, etc. The photo-electric converting element 64 is composed of a CCD
having a plurality of independent light receiving regions or photo-diode
arrays as in the previous embodiments. The light source 65 may be
constructed by a semiconductor laser and the like.
The diffraction grating 66, and the first and second condenser lenses 67
and 68 constitute the image forming optical system 69 for converging light
emitted from the light source 65 onto the information medium O and also,
for leading the reflected light to the photo-electric converting element
64 to form the image. In the optical system, the second condenser lens 68
is mounted at the forward end portion 51b of the casing 51 as referred to
earlier. Accordingly, by replacing this forward end portion 51b with the
spare forward end portion 51c, the second condenser lens 68 may be
replaced by another second condenser lens 68' having a different focal
length.
Because the electric circuit construction of the image input device M3 of
FIG. 8 is the same as in the first embodiment (FIG. 3), a detailed
description thereof is abbreviated here.
In FIG. 8, zero order light (non-diffracted light) from the diffraction
grating 66 for the light emitted from the light source 65, is converged
into a predetermined size onto the information medium O through the first
and second condenser lenses 67 and 68 so as to irradiate the reading
region on the information medium O. The light reflected therefrom is
converged by the first and second condenser lenses 68 and 67. Thereafter,
if the light is diffracted by the diffraction grating 66, an image on the
photo-electric converting element 64 is formed.
Now, in the state where the image input device M3 is placed on the
information medium O as shown in FIG. 8, when the device M3 is slid in one
direction, with the input operating key 59 depressed, the image
information in a light form led to the photo-electric converting element
64 as described above is converted into an electrical signal by the
converting element 64 so as to be applied to the CPU 70 through a signal
line (not shown). The CPU 70 converts the output signal of the
photo-electric converting element 64 into a digital value, and also,
causes the converted data to be stored in the solid state memory element
71, and thus, the inputted image information is memorized and retained.
For outputted of the memorized image in | | |
