Scanning device for generating split-flow image file containing information of penetrating light and visible light

Abstract

A scanning device includes a scanning module, a processor, and an output port, the scanning module scans a file to generate first and second signals, the first signal representing a composite visible light image of the file and a background component, and the second signal representing a penetrating light image penetrating the file. The processor generates a first final image file having a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of first complementary pixels according to the first signal, and generates a second final image file having a plurality of second pixels and a plurality of second complementary pixels according to the second signal. The first pixel represents a visible light image of the file. The first complementary pixels represent the remaining visible light images except the file. The second pixel represents a penetrating light image of the file. The second complementary pixels represent the remaining penetrating light images other than the file. The output port outputs the first final image file and the second final image file to an external device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of scanning devices, and in particular to a scanning device for generating a split-flow image file containing penetrating light and visible light information. Background Art

[0002] When a traditional scanner scans a document with holes, the visible light image obtained will be a completely black image corresponding to the hole. If the user prints this image, a lot of toner will be wasted on printing the completely black hole image. Currently, the copiers on the market directly print the completely black hole image. Although the holes can be removed through image processing software, such post-processing is not accurate and takes up a lot of performance, wasting the user's time, and is a hindrance to 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 frame selection to exclude holes or damaged areas from being scanned, if the information next to the hole is not scanned, the scan will be incomplete, and this operation method is also quite complicated. In addition, due to the limitations of optical principles, when scanning documents, shadows will be generated at the edges of the corresponding documents. To accurately remove the shadows, complex post-processing is also required, and it is even difficult to achieve the goal. The simple way is to use the frame selection restriction method, but sometimes the shadows will be removed incorrectly.

[0004] With the development of computer software, users can drag an image in different backgrounds to present different backgrounds and the fusion effect of the image. Therefore, how to correctly find the outline of the original for further application is the problem to be solved in this case. Summary of the invention

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a scanning device that generates a split image file containing transmitted light and visible light information for immediate output to an external device.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a scanning device, comprising a scanning module, a processor and an output port. The scanning module scans a document to generate a first signal and a second signal, wherein the first signal represents a composite visible light image of the document and a background component, and the second signal represents a transmitted light image that penetrates the document. The processor is electrically connected to the scanning module, and generates a first final image file having a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of first complementary pixels according to the first signal, and generates a second final image file having a plurality of second pixels and a plurality of second complementary pixels according to the second signal, wherein the first pixels and the first complementary pixels are arranged in a rectangular array, the second pixels and the second complementary pixels are arranged in a rectangular array, the first pixels represent the visible light image of the document, the first complementary pixels represent the remaining visible light images outside the document, the second pixels represent the transmitted light image of the document, and the second complementary pixels represent the remaining transmitted light images outside the document. The output port is electrically connected to the processor, and outputs the first final image file and the second final image file to an external device.

[0007] Through the above-mentioned embodiments, a shunt image file containing transmitted light and visible light information can be directly obtained by using a scanning device, and the generated file format can be PDF or other files. The external device and / or the scanning device can generate an image that truly presents the outline information and visible light information of the file based on the visible light and transmitted light information of the shunt image file, so that the non-physical part of the corresponding file and the part outside the file can change to the color of the background along with the color of the background, thereby presenting the original outline of the file. On the other hand, the shadow of the file can be further removed to present the original outline of the file in an undistorted manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a scanning device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a first final image file output by a scanning device.

[0010] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a second final image file output by a scanning device.

[0011] Figure 4 The invention is a specific embodiment of classifying original pixels into channel values ​​of a combination of a first pixel and a second pixel and a combination of a first complementary pixel and a second complementary pixel.

[0012] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of another specific embodiment of a first final image file output by a scanning device.

[0013] Figure 6 for Figure 1 Flowchart of steps performed by a processor.

[0014] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of a specific implementation of obtaining the third and fourth final image files according to the composite visible light image and the transmitted light image.

[0015] Description of reference numerals:

[0016] A: penetrating light channel value; B: blue channel value; FI1: first final image file; FI2: second final image file; FI3: third final image file; FI4: fourth final image file; G: green channel value; I1: visible light image; I2: other images; IP: internal contour; IS1: composite visible light image; IS2: penetrating light image; OP: external contour; P0: original pixel;

[0017] P1: first pixel; P1': first complementary pixel; P2: second pixel; P2': second complementary pixel; R: red channel value; RC: right angle contour part; RM: rectangular array; S1: first signal; S2: second signal; S10, S20, S30, S40, S50: steps; SD: shadow image; TH: threshold value;

[0018] 10: scanning module; 11: image sensor; 12: visible light source;

[0019] 20: processor;

[0020] 30: output port;

[0021] 40: Penetrate light source;

[0022] 50: background component;

[0023] 60: light-transmitting platform;

[0024] 70: file; 70H: hole; 70S: shadow;

[0025] 100: scanning device;

[0026] 200: External device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In order to make the above contents of the present invention more clearly understood, preferred embodiments are specifically cited below and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a scanning device 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 and Figure 3 Display separately Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the first final image file and the second final image file output by the scanning device 100. Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the scanning device 100 includes a scanning module 10, a processor 20 and an output port 30. The scanning device 100 may be a document scanner or a multi-function printer.

[0029] The scanning module 10 scans the document 70 to generate a first signal S1 and a second signal S2. In one embodiment, the visible light source 12 of the scanning module 10 is disposed below the light-transmitting platform 60, and the emitted visible light is reflected by the physical part of the document 70 and the background component 50 back to the image sensor 11 of the scanning module 10, which may be, for example, a contact image sensor (CIS) or a charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor. Therefore, the first signal S1 represents a composite visible light image IS1 of the document 70 and the background component 50, and also represents the visible light channel values ​​of a plurality of original pixels P0. On the other hand, the penetrating light source 40 (e.g., an infrared light source) of the scanning module 10 is disposed above the background component 50 and the document 70, and the infrared light emitted by the infrared light source can penetrate the background component 50, and penetrate the hole 70H of the document 70 and the portion other than the edge of the document 70. That is, the infrared light cannot penetrate the physical part of the document 70 (which may also be defined as a portion with a predetermined thickness). Therefore, the second signal S2 represents the transmitted light image IS2 of the transmitted document 70, that is, it can represent the transmitted light image IS2 of the transmitted document 70 and the background component 50. In other words, the second signal S2 represents the transmitted light channel values ​​of the plurality of original pixels P0. In addition, the background component 50 can be used as a standard white calibration reference for the image sensor 11.

[0030] The processor 20 is electrically connected to the scanning module 10, and generates a first final image file FI1 having a plurality of first pixels P1 and a plurality of first complementary pixels P1' according to the first signal S1, and generates a second final image file FI2 having a plurality of second pixels P2 and a plurality of second complementary pixels P2' according to the second signal S2. The first pixels P1 and the first complementary pixels P1' are arranged in a rectangular array RM, and are complementary to each other in position. The second pixels P2 and the second complementary pixels P2' are also arranged in a rectangular array RM, and are complementary to each other in position. The first pixels P1 represent the visible light image of the document 70 (the reflected light image caused by the physical part of the document 70, which may include the shadow image SD), and the first complementary pixels P1' represent the remaining visible light images outside the document 70 (outside the outer contour OP and inside the inner contour IP). The image inside the inner contour IP represents the non-physical part of the document (such as a hole or a damaged part). The second pixels P2 represent the transmitted light image of the document 70, and the second complementary pixels P2' represent the remaining transmitted light images outside the document 70. In one embodiment, the first and second final image files have information such as a header and a footer.

[0031] The output port 30 is electrically connected to the processor 20, and outputs the first final image file FI1 and the second final image file FI2 to the external device 200. The output port 30 includes but is not limited to a wired network port, a wireless network port, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, etc. The first final image file FI1 and the second final image file FI2 can be output as separate files, or integrated into a multi-layer file for output.

[0032] Through the above-mentioned scanning device 100, the signal obtained by optical scanning can be used to directly and quickly generate an output of an image with a visible light channel and transmittance, and the location of the boundaries and holes of the document 70 can be accurately obtained, and the scanning device and / or external device can accurately eliminate shadows.

[0033] In this embodiment, the scanning module 10 scans the document 70 once to generate the first signal S1 and the second signal S2, thereby saving time. In other embodiments, the scanning module 10 may scan the document 70 multiple times to generate the above signals, which is not particularly limited herein. Figure 2In the example, the first final image file FI1 includes the shadow image SD because the document has a certain thickness and the visible light of the scanning module is emitted obliquely to the document to obtain reflected light. With the second final image file FI2 as a reference, the external device or the scanning device can obtain the contour information of the document and perform subsequent processing to effectively remove the shadow image SD or prevent the shadow image SD from appearing. In the above example, after scanning using only a single scanning module 10, the composite visible light image IS1 and the transmission light image IS2 (or the first final image file FI1 and the second final image file FI2) are processed into two image files or multi-layer image files (such as multi-layer PDF files), and the split image files or multi-layer image files are output through the output port 30 for further processing by the external device. Therefore, the shadow image SD is not further processed in the rectangular array RM, so that the positions of the first pixels P1 and the second complementary pixels P2' are not completely the same, and the positions of the second pixels P2 and the first complementary pixels P1' are not completely the same.

[0034] Figure 4 A specific embodiment of classifying and processing the original pixel P0 into the channel values ​​of the combination of the first pixel P1 and the second pixel P2 and the combination of the first complementary pixel P1' and the second complementary pixel P2' is shown. Figure 4 As shown, an original pixel P0 has a red channel value (R=128), a green channel value (G=98), a blue channel value (B=196), and a transmitted light channel value (A=1%). Figure 1 After being processed by the processor 20, it is determined that the original pixel P0 represents the physical part of the document according to the transmission light channel value (A=1%), and its visible light image belongs to the first pixel P1, so the red, green and blue channel values ​​are maintained, and its transmission light image belongs to the second pixel P2, so the transmission light channel value (A=1%) is set to (A=0%), that is, the second pixel P2 represents or has a transmission rate equal to 0%, so that the first pixel P1 and the second pixel P2 have Figure 4 Of course, in another embodiment, the transmitted light channel value (A=1%) can also be maintained.

[0035] Another original pixel P0 has a red channel value (R=230), a green channel value (G=210), a blue channel value (B=242), and a transmitted light channel value (A=100%). Figure 1After being processed by the processor 20, it is determined that the original pixel P0 represents the non-physical part of the document or the part outside the document according to the transmitted light channel value (A=100%), and its visible light image belongs to the first complementary pixel P1', so the red, green and blue channel values ​​are maintained, and its transmitted light image belongs to the second complementary pixel P2', so the transmitted light channel value (A=100%) is maintained as (A=100%), so that the first complementary pixel P1' and the second complementary pixel P2' have Figure 4 The channel values ​​shown. In another embodiment, the red, green and blue channel values ​​of the first complementary pixel P1' can also be set to 0, because the corresponding transmitted light channel value of the second complementary pixel P2' can already make the red, green and blue channel values ​​of the first complementary pixel P1' not appear. It can be understood that the above red, green and blue channel values ​​can correspond to the visible light channel values ​​in the application of the black and white scanning module. Therefore, the first signal S1 and the second signal S2 represent the visible light channel values ​​and the transmitted light channel values ​​of multiple original pixels P0. In another embodiment, the above R, G, B can also be converted into brightness Y, red chromaticity Cr, and blue chromaticity Cb. Therefore, the original pixel P0 can be accurately classified into a combination of the first pixel P1 and the second pixel P2, or a combination of the first complementary pixel P1' and the second complementary pixel P2' through the transmitted light channel value.

[0036] Figure 5 show Figure 1 A schematic diagram of another specific embodiment of a first final image file output by a scanning device, wherein the second final image file is as follows Figure 3 As shown. Figure 5 and Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment is similar to Figure 2 , the difference is that the processor can further process the composite visible light image IS1 and the transmitted light image IS2, and the shadow image SD has been removed, that is, the part of the first pixel P1 that does not contain the shadow image SD, and the part of the shadow image SD that has been removed falls within the range of the second pixel P2. Therefore, in the rectangular array RM, the positions of these first pixels P1 and these second complementary pixels P2' are exactly the same, and the positions of these second pixels P2 and these first complementary pixels P1' are exactly the same. The advantage of this embodiment is that the external device does not need to perform shadow removal processing, and if there is a problem with the contour definition, debugging can be started from the scanning device 100 itself, without debugging from the external device 200. It can be understood that the scanning device 100 can output (a) Figure 2 and Figure 3 Final image file; and / or (b) Figure 5 and Figure 3The final image file is suitable for applications in different occasions, providing users with a variety of options. In one embodiment, the processor can perform image processing to allow these second complementary pixels P2' to represent or have a transmittance greater than 0%, and to allow these second pixels P2 to represent or have a transmittance equal to 0%. For example, the transmittance of these second complementary pixels P2' can be set to be equal to 100%. In this way, no matter what kind of image the visible light image of these first pixels P1 is, it will change with the background based on the 100% transmittance.

[0037] Figure 6 show Figure 1 A flowchart of the steps performed by a processor. Figure 6 and Figure 1 As shown, the processor 20 performs the following steps S10, S20, S30, S40 and S50. In step S10, a threshold value TH is set, which can be input by a user, or selected from a database according to different states, or a default value is adopted. In step S20, it is determined whether the transmission light channel value (for example, the fourth channel value) of each original pixel P0 is greater than the threshold value TH. If so, step S30 is entered to generate a first complementary pixel P1' and a second complementary pixel P2'. The first complementary pixel P1' has a visible light channel value, and the second complementary pixel P2' has an original transmission light channel value or an adjusted transmission light channel value, for example, 100%. If not, step S40 is entered to generate a first pixel P1 and a second pixel P2. The first pixel P1 has a visible light channel value, and the second pixel P2 has an original transmission light channel value or an adjusted transmission light channel value, for example, 0%. Finally, in step S50, the first pixels P1 and the first complementary pixels P1' form a first final image file, and the second pixels P2 and the second complementary pixels P2' form a second final image file. Then, the first final image file and the second final image file can be output in the form of a shunt file. It can be understood that it is not necessary to set the penetration light channel value to 100%, because the original penetration light channel value can also be retained for further use by the external device 200. For example, the external device 200 can determine the fold of the document (thin thickness, the penetration rate will be different from other parts) or the floating part of the document based on the penetration light channel value. Of course, the processor 20 can also determine the fold of the document or the floating part of the document.

[0038] Since the above processing and judgment method is very simple, it can be easily completed without the need for a high-end processor or a large memory capacity, thereby further saving costs.

[0039] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing a specific embodiment of obtaining the third and fourth final image files based on the composite visible light image and the transmission light image. Figure 7 and Figure 1 As shown, the processor 20 can further process the composite visible light image IS1 according to one or more right-angle contour portions RC of the transmitted light image IS2 (equivalent to the second final image file FI2 including the second pixel P2 and the second complementary pixel P2') represented by the second signal S2 to generate a visible light image, and then perform skew correction on the visible light image to generate a third final image file FI3, which can be output together with the first final image file FI1 and the second final image file FI2, or the first final image file FI1 and the second final image file FI2 can be generated according to the third final image file FI3. The visible light image includes an image representing the hole 70H of the file 70 and an image representing the shadow 70S of the file 70. In this case, the first signal S1 represents the composite visible light image IS1 of the file 70, the background component 50, the shadow 70S of the file 70, and the hole 70H. The right-angle contour portion RC can be obtained by finding the outer boundary of the corresponding file 70, and is determined by the arrangement direction of the pixels representing the outer boundary. The outer boundary can be accurately and easily obtained according to the transmitted light image IS2. In the above manner, the shadow of the document can be accurately removed.

[0040] In another embodiment, the processor 20 can further automatically crop the visible light image according to one or more right-angle contour portions RC of the transmitted light image IS2 represented by the second signal S2 to obtain a fourth final image file FI4, which can be output together with the first final image file FI1 and the second final image file FI2, or the first final image file FI1 and the second final image file FI2 can be generated according to the fourth final image file FI4.

[0041] Through the scanning device of the above embodiment, a shunt image file containing penetrating light and visible light information can be obtained, and the generated file format can be JPEG, PNG, PDF supporting layering function or other formats of files. The external device and / or the scanning device can generate an image that truly presents the contour information and visible light information of the file based on the visible light and penetrating light information of the shunt image file, so that the non-physical part of the corresponding file and the part outside the file can change to the color of the background along with the color of the background. Therefore, the original outline, holes and damage of the file can be presented. On the other hand, the shadow of the file can be further removed to present the original outline of the file in an undistorted manner.

[0042] The specific embodiments proposed in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments are only used to facilitate the explanation of the technical content of the present invention, rather than narrowly limiting the present invention to the above embodiments. Various changes and implementations made without exceeding the spirit of the present invention and the scope of the patent application are all within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A scanning device, characterized in that: Include: A scanning module, scanning a document to generate a first signal and a second signal, wherein the first signal represents a composite visible light image of the document and a background component, and the second signal represents a transmission light image that penetrates the document; a processor, electrically connected to the scanning module, generating a first final image file having a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of first complementary pixels according to the first signal, and generating a second final image file having a plurality of second pixels and a plurality of second complementary pixels according to the second signal, wherein the plurality of first pixels and the plurality of first complementary pixels are arranged in a rectangular array, the plurality of second pixels and the plurality of second complementary pixels are arranged in a rectangular array, the plurality of first pixels represent visible light images of the document, the plurality of first complementary pixels represent other visible light images other than the document, the plurality of second pixels represent the transmitted light images of the document, and the plurality of second complementary pixels represent other transmitted light images other than the document; and The output port is electrically connected to the processor and outputs the first final image file and the second final image file to an external device.

2. The scanning device according to claim 1, characterized in that In the rectangular array, positions of the plurality of first pixels and the plurality of second complementary pixels are not completely the same, and positions of the second pixels and the plurality of first complementary pixels are not completely the same.

3. The scanning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the rectangular array, the positions of the plurality of first pixels and the plurality of second complementary pixels are exactly the same, and the positions of the plurality of second pixels and the plurality of first complementary pixels are exactly the same.

4. The scanning device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The plurality of second complementary pixels have a penetration rate greater than 0%, and the plurality of second pixels have a penetration rate equal to 0%.

5. The scanning device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The plurality of second complementary pixels have a penetration rate equal to 100%.

6. The scanning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The scanning module scans the document once to generate the first signal and the second signal.

7. The scanning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The processor further performs skew correction on the visible light image according to one or more right-angle contour portions of the transmitted light image represented by the second signal.

8. The scanning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The processor further automatically crops the visible light image according to one or more right-angle contour portions of the transmitted light image represented by the second signal.

9. The scanning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first signal represents the composite visible light image of the document, the background component, and the shadow of the document.

10. The scanning device according to claim 1, wherein: The processor processes the first final image file and the second final image file into a multi-layer image file, and the multi-layer image file is output to the external device through the output port.

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