Multi-mode scanning device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-mode scanning device for scanning a manuscript, and comprises a non-transparent component, a first light source, a second light source and an optical module. The first light source emits visible light to illuminate the non-transparent component and the manuscript to generate a first light and a second light respectively. The second light source emits invisible light to illuminate the combination of the non-transparent component and the manuscript to generate a third light and a fourth light. The optical module receives the first light, the second light, the third light and the fourth light to generate a plurality of sensing signals, and obtains visible light information and invisible light information representing the manuscript according to the plurality of sensing signals. The manuscript is located between the non-transparent component and the optical module, and the first light source and the optical module are located on the same side of the non-transparent component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a scanning device, and in particular to a multi-mode scanning device which utilizes a non-transparent component to transmit invisible light and utilizes a non-transparent component to reflect visible light. Background Art

[0002] When a traditional scanner scans a document with holes, the visible light image obtained will appear completely black at the location corresponding to the hole. If the user prints out this image, a lot of toner will be wasted on printing the completely black hole image. Currently, the copiers on the market directly print out the completely black hole image. Although the holes can be removed through image processing software, such subsequent processing is not accurate and takes up a lot of performance, wasting the user's time, and is a hindrance for users who are not familiar with computers.

[0003] On the other hand, although you can use the preview scan to set the boundaries of the selection to avoid scanning holes or damaged areas, if the information next to the holes is not scanned, the scan will be incomplete, and this operation method is also quite complicated.

[0004] Currently, users have an increasing demand for the functions of scanners or multifunction printers. Therefore, how to provide a scanning device that not only has the function of scanning visible light images of documents, but also can obtain contour information and even repair images of holes is a problem to be solved by this solution. Summary of the invention

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a scanning device that not only has the function of scanning the visible light image of a document, but also can utilize the correction components necessary for the visible light image in conjunction with an invisible light source to obtain invisible light (contour) information, and even repair the image of holes.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a multi-mode scanning device for scanning a manuscript, and comprises a non-transparent component, a first light source, a second light source and an optical module. The first light source emits visible light to illuminate the non-transparent component and the manuscript to generate a first light and a second light respectively. The second light source emits invisible light to illuminate the combination of the non-transparent component and the manuscript to generate a third light and a fourth light. The optical module receives the first light, the second light, the third light and the fourth light to generate a plurality of sensing signals, and obtains visible light information and invisible light information representing the manuscript according to these sensing signals. The manuscript is located between the non-transparent component and the optical module, and the first light source and the optical module are located on the same side of the non-transparent component.

[0007] Through the above-mentioned embodiments, a scanning device can be provided, which not only has the function of scanning the visible light image of the document, but also can use the correction components necessary for the visible light image to cooperate with the invisible light source to obtain the contour information, and even repair the image of the hole. The present invention uses a non-transparent component to solve the functions of background reference and contour information acquisition at the same time, uses the non-transparent component to transmit invisible light, and uses the non-transparent component to reflect visible light, which is conducive to the development of image scanning and image restoration technology.

[0008] In order to make the above contents of the present invention more clearly understood, preferred embodiments are given below and described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The specific implementation modes of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of a scanning device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 1B for Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a scanning device for performing visible light image scanning;

[0012] Figure 1C for Figure 1A Schematic diagram of a scanning device for performing visible light calibration;

[0013] Figure 1D for Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a scanning device for performing invisible light image scanning;

[0014] Figure 2 for Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a scanning device according to a first embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C for Figure 2 A graph of pixel index of a document scanned by a scanning device versus red, green and infrared light intensity values;

[0016] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the original manuscript;

[0017] Figure 5 It is the visible light image obtained after scanning the original;

[0018] Figure 6 It is the invisible light image obtained after scanning the original;

[0019] Figure 7 for Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a scanning device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0021] D: original manuscript;

[0022] D1, D2: tape;

[0023] H: Hole;

[0024] IVL: invisible light;

[0025] L1: first ray;

[0026] L2: second light;

[0027] L3: third ray;

[0028] L4: fourth ray;

[0029] S1: sensing signal;

[0030] S2: correction signal;

[0031] VL: visible light;

[0032] 10: non-transparent components;

[0033] 15: light-transmitting component;

[0034] 20: First light source;

[0035] 30: Second light source;

[0036] 40: optical module;

[0037] 50: processor;

[0038] 60: scanning module;

[0039] 70: feeding mechanism;

[0040] 71, 72, 73, 74: rollers;

[0041] 75: Channel;

[0042] 100: Multi-mode scanning device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the contents disclosed in this specification. Although the description of the present invention will be introduced in conjunction with the preferred embodiment, this does not mean that the features of this invention are limited to this implementation. On the contrary, the purpose of introducing the invention in conjunction with the implementation is to cover other options or modifications that may be extended based on the claims of the present invention. In order to provide a deep understanding of the present invention, the following description will include many specific details. The present invention can also be implemented without using these details. In addition, in order to avoid confusion or blurring the focus of the present invention, some specific details will be omitted in the description.

[0044] Currently, users have an increasing demand for the functions of scanners or multifunction printers. Users hope to use ordinary scanners or multifunction printers to obtain visible light images of documents, preferably images that can repair holes, or even obtain information on the outline of the document.

[0045] Figure 1A FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a scanning device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figures 1B to 1D They are Figure 1A Schematic diagram of a scanning device for performing visible light image scanning, visible light correction and invisible light image scanning. Therefore, the scanning device of this embodiment can be called a multi-mode scanning device. Figures 1A to 1D As shown, a multi-mode scanning device 100 is used to scan a document D, and includes a non-transparent component 10, a first light source 20, a second light source 30, and an optical module 40. The non-transparent component 10 is for light visible to the human eye, and can also be called a reference component. The above structure can be applied to feed-type and flatbed document scanning. It is worth noting that a glass sheet (glass substrate) can be provided on the upper and lower sides of the document D to protect the non-transparent component 10 and the optical module 40 from interference by foreign objects brought in by the document D. In a feed-type scanner, the "non-transparent" here is a correction sheet relative to the transparent glass substrate, and the non-transparent can be any color; in a flatbed scanner, the non-transparent component is a background sheet.

[0046] The non-transparent component 10 is opposite to the optical module 40. The first light source 20 emits visible light VL to illuminate the non-transparent component 10 and the original document D to generate a first light L1 and a second light L2 respectively. The second light source 30 emits invisible light IVL to illuminate the combination of the non-transparent component 10 and the original document D to generate a third light L3 and a fourth light L4. The optical module 40 receives the first light L1, the second light L2, the third light L3 and the fourth light L4 to generate a plurality of sensing signals S1. Thus, the visible light information representing the original document D and the invisible light information representing the high contrast contour of the original document D are obtained according to these sensing signals S1. In the present embodiment, the original document D is located between the non-transparent component 10 and the optical module 40, and the first light source 20 and the optical module 40 are located on the same side of the non-transparent component 10.

[0047] According to the above structure, the effect of the present invention can be achieved. Not only can the visible light image of the document be scanned, but also the contour information can be obtained by using the correction components necessary for the visible light image in combination with the invisible light source, and even the contour information can be used to repair the image of the hole. The above structure is different from the traditional film scanner with defect repair function. It is a special machine, so no non-transparent components are set as the background of the invisible light or allow the invisible light to penetrate.

[0048] It is worth noting that when scanning, the visible light source and the invisible light source can be turned on at the same time to allow the visible light receiving unit and the invisible light receiving unit of the optical module 40 to obtain visible light and invisible light signals in a time-sharing manner, or the visible light and the invisible light can be turned on in a time-sharing manner for time-sharing scanning.

[0049] The multi-mode scanning device 100 may further include a processor 50. In the calibration mode, the non-transparent component 10 is used as a calibration sheet, and the first light source 20 emits visible light VL to illuminate the non-transparent component 10 to generate a first light L1 (see Figure 1B ), the optical module 40 receives the first light L1 and generates a correction signal S2, and the processor 50 performs optical correction according to the correction signal S2, that is, uses the non-transparent component 10 to perform optical correction (including brightness correction) of standard white (standard color). In one embodiment, repairing the image of the hole and obtaining the information of the outline of the document are executed in the processor 50. In another embodiment, repairing the image of the hole and obtaining the information of the outline of the document are executed in a computer, a business machine or a server (not shown) connected to the multi-mode scanning device 100.

[0050] For the sake of convenience, the first light beam L1 and the second light beam L2 are defined here. The visible light VL passes through the hole H of the original document D and irradiates the non-transparent component 10 to generate the first light beam L1 (see Figure 1A or Figure 1C), that is, after the visible light VL directly irradiates the non-transparent component 10, it will be reflected by the non-transparent component 10 to generate the first light L1. In the calibration mode, without the original D, the first light L1 is also generated (see Figure 1B ). In the case of the original D, the visible light VL directly penetrates the hole H and irradiates the non-transparent component 10, and the first light L1 is also generated (see Figure 1C On the other hand, when the original D exists, the visible light VL irradiates the portion other than the hole H of the original D (the portion without the hole, also called the solid portion) to generate the second light L2. That is, the visible light VL is reflected by the original D to generate the second light L2 (see Figure 1C It is worth noting that when the light transmittance of the document D is high, the visible light VL may also penetrate the document D and be reflected by the non-transparent component 10, and the light generated by penetrating the document can also be called the second light L2.

[0051] like Figure 1A and Figure 1D As shown, the second light source 30 and the optical module 40 are located on both sides of the non-transparent component 10, and the invisible light IVL penetrates the combination of the non-transparent component 10 and the original document D to generate a third light L3 and a fourth light L4. The invisible light IVL sequentially penetrates the non-transparent component 10 and the hole H of the original document D to generate the fourth light L4. Since the hole H is completely transparent, it will not block the invisible light IVL. The intensity of the invisible light IVL is only reduced by the non-transparent component 10. On the other hand, the invisible light IVL sequentially penetrates the physical parts of the non-transparent component 10 and the original document D to generate the third light L3. The intensity of the invisible light IVL is doubly reduced by the non-transparent component 10 and the original document D. Therefore, the information of the hole H can be clearly obtained, and the contour information of the original document D can also be obtained at the same time. The invisible light IVL includes but is not limited to ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, and far infrared rays. Figure 1A In the embodiment, the combination of the first light source 20 and the optical module 40 may be referred to as a scanning module 60 .

[0052] Figure 2 for Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a scanning device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 As shown, the multi-mode scanning device 100 further includes a feeding mechanism 70 for feeding the original document D through a channel 75 between the non-transparent component 10 and the optical module 40. The feeding mechanism 70 includes rollers 71, 72, 73 and 74. Therefore, feeding-type original document scanning can be accomplished.

[0053] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C for Figure 2 The graph of the pixel index of the original document scanned by the scanning device versus the red, green and infrared light intensity values. FIG. 3A to FIG. 3CAs shown, the horizontal axis represents the pixel index of the red, green and infrared (IR) sensing pixels, that is, the number of the sensing pixels of the image sensor in the optical module 40 (from 1 to 2592), and the image sensor is, for example, a charge-coupled device (CCD) type image sensor, or a contact image sensor (CIS). FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C The vertical axes represent the red, green and infrared (IR) intensity values ​​respectively. Figure 3A The curve represents the result of the red sensing pixel, Figure 3B The curve represents the result of the green sensing pixel, Figure 3C The curve represents the result of invisible light (infrared) sensing pixels. The distribution range of the original is approximately from pixel index 400 to 2170. It is worth noting that since it is in the experimental stage, a row of infrared sensing pixels is used to fit a CIS image sensor (with three rows of red, green and blue sensing pixels). Therefore, there may be some errors in the setting position and angle, resulting in some differences in the results on the left and right sides, but there will be a sharp drop at the boundary (from the place where there is no original to the place where there is an original). In terms of the sensing results of the IR sensing pixels on the left, according to Figure 3C As a result, the processor 50 can determine the outline of the document D according to the relationship diagram between the invisible light intensity value representing the invisible light information and the pixel index of the optical module 40, wherein the portion where the invisible light intensity value drops sharply along the pixel index represents the outline. For example, in the direction to the right of the pixel index 400, the value of the sharp drop of the invisible light intensity value of the invisible light sensing pixel is approximately between 110 and 180 near the pixel index 400. Such a range is quite suitable for determining the outline of the document for the sensitivity of the image sensor and image processing.

[0054] Alternatively, the processor 50 may also determine the contour of the manuscript D based on a relationship diagram between the visible light intensity value representing the visible light information and the invisible light intensity value representing the invisible light information and the pixel index of the optical module 40, wherein the portion where the invisible light intensity value drops sharply along the pixel index and the visible light intensity value rises sharply along the pixel index represents the contour. For example, the value of the sharp drop in the invisible light intensity value has been described above, while the value of the sharp rise in the red visible light intensity value is approximately between 40 and 70, and the value of the sharp rise in the green visible light intensity value is approximately between 30 and 80. Therefore, the difference between the sharp drop in the value (negative value) and the sharp rise in the value (positive value) (the sum of the absolute value of the positive value and the absolute value of the negative value) can be set to be between 40 and 140. Such a range is also quite suitable for determining the contour of the manuscript for the sensitivity of the image sensor and image processing. Therefore, the value of the sharp drop in the IR intensity value is approximately between 1.5 and 5 times the value of the sharp rise in the visible light intensity value. If only the sharp increase in the visible light intensity value is used for judgment, it may be difficult to judge due to sensing errors. Therefore, using the sharp decrease in the IR intensity value has its special advantages.

[0055] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the original manuscript. Figure 4 As shown, the upper and lower sides of the original D with a hole H are attached with tapes D1 and D2, and there are also linear patterns around the original D. The result after scanning by the scanning device of the present invention is as follows: Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown. Figure 5 The visible light image obtained after scanning the original is shown, and the sensing result of the green sensing pixel is used as an example for explanation. Figure 6 Displays the invisible light image obtained after scanning the original, taking the sensing result of the infrared sensing pixel as an example. The sensing result is the intensity value, which is converted into a grayscale image of visible light. Figure 5 and Figure 6 It can be seen that it is difficult to detect contours using visible light because the contrast between the background and the original is not large, and the upper part of the original is prone to shadows ( Figure 5 ). On the other hand, it is easier to use invisible light for contour detection because the contrast between the original and the background is large, which is quite suitable for image processing.

[0056] Figure 7 for Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a scanning device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 As shown, this embodiment is similar to Figure 1A, the difference is that the multi-mode scanning device 100 further includes a light-transmitting component 15, which is disposed between the non-transparent component 10 and the original document D, that is, disposed between the optical module 40 and the non-transparent component 10. The light-transmitting component 15 is, for example, a light-transmitting glass, and the non-transparent component 10 has various implementation forms, such as a thin sheet (Mylar) attached to the light-transmitting component 15 or a coating applied on the light-transmitting component 15. Therefore, the light-transmitting component 15 can protect the non-transparent component 10 from being contaminated and worn by the original document.

[0057] Through the above-mentioned embodiments, a scanning device can be provided, which not only has the function of scanning the visible light image of the document, but also can use the correction components necessary for the visible light image in conjunction with the invisible light source to obtain contour information, and even repair the image of the hole. In the prior art, non-transparent components (especially non-transparent components for correction) are not used to allow invisible light to penetrate to provide contour information capture. The present invention overcomes the prejudice of the prior art and adopts non-transparent components to solve the functions of background reference and contour information capture at the same time. Non-transparent components are used to transmit invisible light, and non-transparent components are used to reflect visible light, which is conducive to the development of image scanning and image restoration technology.

[0058] In summary, the above embodiments provided by the present invention are only illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone familiar with the technology may modify or change the above embodiments without violating the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or changes made by those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field without departing from the spirit and technical ideas disclosed by the present invention should still be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-mode scanning device, characterized in that: For scanning originals and includes: Non-transparent components; a first light source, emitting visible light to illuminate the non-transparent component and the manuscript to generate a first light beam and a second light beam, respectively; the visible light passes through the holes in the manuscript to illuminate the non-transparent component to generate the first light beam, and the visible light illuminates a solid portion of the manuscript to generate the second light beam; a second light source emitting invisible light to illuminate the combination of the non-transparent component and the manuscript to generate a third light ray and a fourth light ray, wherein the invisible light sequentially penetrates the non-transparent component and the solid portion of the manuscript to generate the third light ray, and the invisible light sequentially penetrates the non-transparent component and the hole of the manuscript to generate the fourth light ray; and An optical module receives the first light, the second light, the third light, and the fourth light to generate a plurality of sensing signals, and obtains visible light information representing the original document and invisible light information of its outline based on the plurality of sensing signals, wherein the original document is located between the non-transparent component and the optical module, and the first light source and the optical module are located on the same side of the non-transparent component.

2. The multi-mode scanning device according to claim 1, wherein: It also includes a processor, wherein in a correction mode, the non-transparent component is used as a correction plate, the first light source emits the visible light to illuminate the non-transparent component to generate the first light, the optical module receives the first light and generates a correction signal, and the processor performs optical correction according to the correction signal.

3. The multi-mode scanning device according to claim 2, wherein: The processor determines the outline of the original document based on a relationship diagram between the invisible light intensity value representing the invisible light information and the pixel index of the optical module, wherein a portion where the invisible light intensity value drops sharply along the pixel index represents the outline.

4. The multi-mode scanning device according to claim 3, wherein: The value of the sharp drop is between 110 and 180.

5. The multi-mode scanning device according to claim 2, wherein: The processor determines the outline of the original document based on a relationship diagram between the visible light intensity value representing the visible light information and the invisible light intensity value representing the invisible light information and the pixel index of the optical module, wherein the portion where the invisible light intensity value sharply drops along the pixel index and the portion where the visible light intensity value sharply rises along the pixel index represents the outline.

6. The multi-mode scanning device according to claim 5, wherein: The value of the sharp drop is between 110 and 180, and the value of the sharp rise is between 40 and 70.

7. The multi-mode scanning device according to claim 5, wherein: The difference between the sharply decreasing value and the sharply increasing value is between 40 and 140.

8. The multi-mode scanning device according to claim 1, wherein: The second light source and the optical module are located on both sides of the non-transparent component.

9. The multi-mode scanning device according to claim 8, wherein: The device also includes a feeding mechanism for feeding the original document through a channel between the non-transparent component and the optical module.

10. The multi-mode scanning device according to claim 1, wherein: It also includes a light-transmitting component, which is arranged between the non-transparent component and the original manuscript.

11. The multi-mode scanning device according to claim 10, wherein: The non-transparent component is a thin sheet attached to the light-transmitting component.

12. The multi-mode scanning device according to claim 11, wherein: The non-transparent component is a coating applied on the light-transmitting component.

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