Information processing device and program

Abstract

To enable information about the surface inclination of a section of the measurement object that is to be measured to be obtained with better accuracy than in the case of rotating the measurement object and thereby obtaining information about the surface inclination of a section of the measurement object that is to be measured.SOLUTION: The processor of an information processing device acquires height information indicating the respective heights of sections constituting the surface of a measurement object, as referenced to the height of a specific region of the measurement object or a predetermined reference position on the outside of the measurement object. And, by using information about the height of one surface section of the measurement object and information about the heights of other surface sections of the measurement object, the processor acquires information about the inclination of a specific surface section of the measurement object on the basis of the difference between the one section and the other sections and the distance between the one section and the other sections.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a process of setting a scanning distance of a line light source according to the characteristics of a measurement object, controlling the movement of the line light source and the imaging by an imaging unit, and estimating the reflection characteristics of the measurement object from a plurality of images captured by the imaging unit. Patent Document 2 discloses that an image processing unit acquires normal vector information of the surface of a subject using a plurality of captured images generated by imaging the subject under four or more light source conditions where the positions of the light sources are different from each other. Patent Document 3 discloses a process of setting a scanning distance of a line light source according to the characteristics of a measurement object, controlling the movement of the line light source and the imaging by an imaging unit, and estimating the reflection characteristics of the measurement object from a plurality of images captured by the imaging unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When grasping the inclination of a part constituting the surface of a measurement object, it may be necessary to irradiate light from a plurality of directions to this part. In this case, by rotating the measurement object, light can be irradiated to this part from a plurality of directions. By the way, rotating the object being measured can cause the position of the part being measured to shift or its shape to change, potentially making it difficult to obtain accurate information about the inclination of the surface of the part being measured. The object of the present invention is to obtain information about the inclination of the surface of a part of an object being measured with greater accuracy compared to the method of obtaining information about the inclination of the surface of a part of an object being measured by rotating the object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The invention described in claim 1 is, A light irradiation means for irradiating the object to be measured with light, A light receiving unit that receives reflected light from a specific point on the object to be measured and outputs an output corresponding to the intensity of the received reflected light, A processor that controls the light irradiation means and processes the output of the light receiving unit, It is an information processing device equipped with, The aforementioned processor, The light irradiation means is made to irradiate the specific location with light from multiple locations that are at different positions in one direction. The light irradiation means is made to irradiate the specific part of the object to be measured with light from multiple locations that are at different positions in a direction intersecting the one direction. Based on the output of the light receiving unit based on the reflected light from the specific location in response to light irradiation from multiple locations in one direction by the light irradiation means, and the output of the light receiving unit based on the reflected light from the specific location in response to light irradiation from multiple locations in a direction intersecting the one direction, information about the inclination of the specific location is obtained. A specific part of the object being measured, or a predetermined reference position outside the object being measured, is used as the height reference. The aforementioned specific location We obtain height information, which is information about the height of each of them. The aforementioned In specific locations Information about the height of one part, and In specific locations Using information about the height of other parts, and based on the difference between the height of one part and the height of the other parts, The aforementioned To obtain information about the inclination of a specific part of the surface of the object being measured. It is an information processing device. The invention described in claim 2 is an information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor acquires information about the inclination of at least one of the parts of the one part, the other part, and the intermediate part which is located between the one part and the other part, based on information about the height of the one part and information about the height of the other part. The invention described in claim 3 is an information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor acquires information about the height of each of the parts that constitute the surface of the object to be measured, based on information about the inclination of each of the parts. The invention described in claim 4 is that the processor acquires information about the height of each of the parts that constitute the surface of the object to be measured and are arranged in one direction, and acquires information about the height of each of the parts for each row in which the parts are arranged in that one direction. The information processing device according to claim 1 acquires information about the inclination of at least one of the first part, the second part, and the intermediate part located between the first and second parts, based on information about the height of the first part, which is a part included in one column, and information about the height of the second part, which is a part included in another column. The invention described in claim 5 is, A program executed by a computer provided in a measuring device comprising: a light irradiation means for irradiating an object to be measured with light; a light receiving unit that receives reflected light from a specific point on the object to be measured and outputs according to the intensity of the received reflected light; and a computer that controls the light irradiation means and processes the output of the light receiving unit. The light irradiation means has a function to irradiate the specific location with light from multiple locations that are at different positions in one direction, The light irradiation means has a function to irradiate the specific part of the object to be measured with light from multiple locations that are at different positions in a direction intersecting the one direction, A function to acquire information about the inclination of the specific location based on the output of the light receiving unit based on the reflected light from the specific location in response to light irradiation from each of multiple locations in one direction by the light irradiation means, and the output of the light receiving unit based on the reflected light from the specific location in response to light irradiation from each of multiple locations in a direction intersecting the one direction. A specific part of the object being measured, or a predetermined reference position outside the object being measured, is used as the height reference. The aforementioned specific location A function to obtain height information, which is information about the height of each of the following: The aforementioned In specific locations Information about the height of one part, and In specific locations Using information about the height of other parts, and based on the difference between the height of one part and the height of the other parts, The aforementioned A function to acquire information about the inclination of a specific part of the surface of the object being measured, This is a program that enables a computer to implement this. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the invention of claim 1, compared with the case of rotating the measurement object to obtain information about the inclination of the surface of the part of the measurement object that is the measurement target, it is possible to obtain information about the inclination of the surface of the part of the measurement object that is the measurement target with higher accuracy. According to the invention of claim 2, information about the inclination of the part constituting the surface of the measurement object can be obtained from information about the height of each part constituting the surface of the measurement object. According to the invention of claim 3, information about the height of each part can be obtained from information about the inclination of each part constituting the surface of the measurement object. According to the invention of claim 4, information about the inclination of the part constituting the surface of the measurement object can be obtained from information about the height of one column and information about the height of another column. According to the invention of claim 5, compared with the case of rotating the measurement object to obtain information about the inclination of the surface of the part of the measurement object that is the measurement target, it is possible to obtain information about the inclination of the surface of the part of the measurement object that is the measurement target with higher accuracy.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the image reading device. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing the configuration of the control unit. [Figure 3] It is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the reading unit and the like. [Figure 4] It is a diagram when the reading unit is viewed from the direction indicated by arrow IV in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] (A) and (B) are diagrams showing the lighting state of the light source. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing the relationship between the incident angle and the normal angle. [Figure 7] (A) and (B) are diagrams showing the reading unit and the measurement object from the direction indicated by arrow VII in FIG. 1. [Figure 8]Figures (A) to (D) show a series of steps in the process of lighting up the light source provided in the reading unit. [Figure 9] This diagram shows other configuration examples of the reading unit. [Figure 10] This diagram shows other configuration examples of the reading unit. [Figure 11] This diagram shows another example configuration of the scanner device. [Figure 12] Figures (A) to (D) show the basic processing flow of the second embodiment. [Figure 13] (A) and (B) are diagrams showing other lighting states of the light source. [Figure 14] (C) and (D) are diagrams showing other lighting states of the light source. [Figure 15] This diagram shows the state of the light source and specific points as viewed from above. [Figure 16] (A) and (B) are diagrams showing the process of turning on the light source in the third embodiment. [Figure 17] This diagram shows the view of the object being measured on the support surface from the direction indicated by arrow XVII in Figure 1. [Figure 18] This figure shows the heights of specific points in the first and second columns when viewed from the direction indicated by arrow XVIII in Figure 17. [Figure 19] This diagram illustrates the process performed when acquiring the main scanning direction component. [Figure 20] This diagram shows other configuration examples of the reading unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of the image reading device 1. The image reading device 1 includes a scanner device 10 that acquires an image of a document by scanning the document, and a document feeder 20A that transports the document to the scanner device 10.

[0009] The document feeder 20A is equipped with a document stacking section 21 on which a stack of multiple documents is placed. The document feeder 20A is also equipped with a paper output stacking section 22 located below the document stacking section 21 on which documents that have finished being scanned are placed. Furthermore, the document feeder 20A is equipped with a feeder roll 23 for feeding out documents from the document stacking section 21, and a sorting mechanism 24 for sorting documents one by one.

[0010] Furthermore, the transport path 25 through which the documents are transported is equipped with a transport roll 26 that transports the documents, which have been separated one by one, toward the downstream roll, and a registration roll 27 that supplies the documents to the scanner device 10 while performing registration adjustments. Furthermore, the scanner device 10 is equipped with a chute 28 to assist in transporting the document being scanned, and an out roll 29 to transport the scanned document further downstream. In addition, an output roll 30 is provided to discharge the document to the output stacking section 22.

[0011] The scanner device 10 is provided with a housing 13 and a device frame 14. The device frame 14 is fitted with a first platen glass 11A on which a stationary document is placed, and a second platen glass 11B that transmits light for reading the document being transported by the document feeder 20A. Furthermore, a guide member 68 is provided between the first platen glass 11A and the second platen glass 11B to guide the document being transported by the document feeder 20A.

[0012] Furthermore, a white reference plate 71 is provided at the lower part of the guide member 68. Inside the housing casing 13, there is a reading unit 12 that reads the original document placed on the first platen glass 11A and the original document transported by the original document feeder 20A. Furthermore, a movement mechanism (not shown) is provided for moving the reading unit 12 in the left-right direction in the figure. The movement mechanism is not particularly limited and can be composed of a known mechanism.

[0013] As an example of a moving object, the reading unit 12 moves to the right below the first platen glass 11A when reading a document placed on the first platen glass 11A. Furthermore, when scanning a document being transported by the document feeder 20A, the scanning unit 12 is positioned stationary below the second platen glass 11B.

[0014] Inside the reading unit 12, there is a light source composed of LEDs or the like, an imaging optical system that collects reflected light from the original document, and a sensor that receives the light collected by the imaging optical system. A hinge (not shown) for opening and closing the document feeder 20A is provided on the rear side of the image reading device 1, and in this embodiment, the document feeder 20A can be rotated toward the rear side of the image reading device 1.

[0015] When a document is placed on the first platen glass 11A, the user rotates the document feeder 20A towards the rear of the image reading device 1. Then, when the user places the document on the first platen glass 11A, the user rotates the document feeder 20A toward the front of the image reading device 1, and the document feeder 20A is returned to its original position. Subsequently, in this embodiment, a start button (not shown) is pressed, and document scanning begins.

[0016] Furthermore, the image reading device 1 of this embodiment is provided with a control unit 60 that controls each part of the image reading device 1. Furthermore, the image reading device 1 is equipped with a display device 61 for displaying information. This display device 61 is composed of a known device such as a liquid crystal display.

[0017] Figure 2 shows the configuration of the control unit 60. The control unit 60 includes a control unit 101 that controls the operation of the entire device, a storage unit 102 that stores data, and a network interface 103 that enables communication via a LAN (=Local Area Network) cable or the like. Here, the control unit 101 can be considered as an information processing device that processes information about the object to be measured, which will be described later.

[0018] The control unit 101 includes a CPU (=Central Processing Unit) 111 as an example of a processor, a ROM (=Read Only Memory) 112 in which basic software and BIOS (=Basic Input Output System) are stored, and a RAM (=Random Access Memory) 113 used as a work area. The control unit 101 is a so-called computer. The storage unit 102 is composed of a hard disk drive, semiconductor memory, and the like. The control unit 101, the memory unit 102, and the network interface 103 are connected via a bus 104 and signal lines (not shown).

[0019] Here, the program executed by the CPU 111 can be provided to the image reading device 1 while stored on a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium (magnetic tape, magnetic disk, etc.), an optical recording medium (optical disk, etc.), a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. Furthermore, the program executed by the CPU 111 may be provided to the image reading device 1 using communication means such as the Internet.

[0020] In this embodiment, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.). Furthermore, the operation of the processor may not be performed by a single processor, but may be performed by multiple processors located in physically separate locations working together. Also, the order of the processor's operations is not limited to the order described in this embodiment, and may be changed.

[0021] [Configuration of reading unit 12, etc.] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the reading unit 12, etc. The reading unit 12, which is an example of a mobile body, is equipped with a light irradiation unit 12A that functions as part of a light irradiation means for irradiating the object to be measured with light. The light irradiation section 12A is provided with a light source. Specifically, in this embodiment, two point light source arrays are provided: a first point light source array 16 and a second point light source array 18. The first and second point light source arrays, 16 and 18, are arranged along a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in the figure. In other words, the first and second point light source arrays, 16 and 18, are arranged along a common direction (the same direction).

[0022] Furthermore, the light irradiation unit 12A is provided with a control unit (not shown) for controlling the illumination of the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18, respectively. The position of the control unit is not particularly limited and may be provided on the main body side of the scanner device 10. In this embodiment, a signal from the CPU 111 is input to this control unit, and light is irradiated onto the document from the light irradiation unit 12A.

[0023] Furthermore, the reading unit 12 is equipped with an imaging optical system 31 that collects reflected light from the original document, and a sensor 32 that receives the light collected by the imaging optical system 31. The reading unit 12 is a mobile unit and moves in the direction indicated by arrow 3A in the figure. The first platen glass 11A is composed of a transparent glass plate formed in a plate shape. The first platen glass 11A is also arranged horizontally. The first platen glass 11A supports the document from below.

[0024] More specifically, the first platen glass 11A has a support surface 11D that faces upward and is flat, and this support surface 11D is used to support the document from below. Note that the first platen glass 11A is not limited to a glass plate, but may be an acrylic plate or the like. When the scanner device 10 reads a document, the document is supported by the support surface 11D and positioned along a plane.

[0025] Image reading device 1 can not only read general documents (and acquire color information), but also obtain information about the surface inclination of each part of the object being read. In other words, the image reading device 1 of this embodiment can also be considered as a measuring device, and the image reading device 1 can also measure the inclination of each part that makes up the surface of the object to be read. The following describes the process for obtaining information about the inclination of this surface. Furthermore, in the following, the object from which information about the surface inclination is obtained will be referred to as the "object to be measured."

[0026] Here, there are no particular restrictions on the object to be measured; examples include paper, cloth, metal, resin, and rubber. Furthermore, there are no particular restrictions on the shape of the object to be measured. In the case of paper or cloth, it can be rolled up. In this embodiment, if the object to be measured can be rolled up, the object to be measured is placed on the first platen glass 11A, so that the object to be measured is arranged in a planar manner along the support surface 11D.

[0027] The first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18 are each positioned at different locations, and the light irradiation unit 12A in this embodiment can irradiate a specific location 40 of the object to be measured with light from multiple directions. In other words, in this embodiment, when the part of the object to be measured for which the inclination of the surface is to be determined is identified as a specific location 40, light can be irradiated onto this specific location 40 from multiple directions.

[0028] Each of the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18 extends along a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 3. Furthermore, each of the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18 extends along a direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the direction of movement of the reading unit 12. Furthermore, in each of the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18, multiple white point light sources 98, composed of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) or the like, are arranged in the direction of extension of the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18. The first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18 may be composed of fluorescent lamps, noble gas fluorescent lamps, or the like.

[0029] Furthermore, the reading unit 12 is equipped with an imaging optical system 31 and a sensor 32, as described above. Sensor 32 is a line sensor in which light-receiving elements 32A, which are an example of a light-receiving unit, are arranged in a row. The light-receiving elements 32A receive reflected light from a specific point 40 of the object to be measured. The sensor 32 is positioned along the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 3. In other words, the sensor 32 extends along a direction that intersects (is perpendicular to) the direction of movement of the reading unit 12. Furthermore, in this embodiment, multiple light-receiving elements 32A are arranged in the direction of extension of the sensor 32.

[0030] In this embodiment, the direction in which the first point light source array 16, the second point light source array 18, and the sensor 32 extend is referred to as the main scanning direction. In this embodiment, the direction that intersects (is perpendicular to) this main scanning direction (the direction in which the reading unit 12 moves) is referred to as the sub-scanning direction. When reading the object to be measured, the reading unit 12 moves in the sub-scanning direction at a predetermined speed. More specifically, it moves in the direction indicated by arrow 3A in the figure.

[0031] The imaging optical system 31 consists of a reflective mirror and an imaging lens, and images the reflected light from a specific point 40 (the part to be read) of the object to be measured onto the light-receiving element 32A of the sensor 32. Each of the light-receiving elements 32A receives reflected light that has been imaged by the imaging optical system 31, and generates and outputs information (information about the intensity of the reflected light) corresponding to the intensity of the received reflected light.

[0032] Sensor 32 is composed of a CCD linear image sensor or a CMOS image sensor, and outputs information about the intensity of the received light. Sensor 32 is provided with multiple light-receiving elements 32A. In sensor 32, these light-receiving elements 32A are arranged in the main scanning direction. Furthermore, the sensor 32 is equipped with a color filter and generates an image signal representing the color of the document or object to be measured. In this embodiment, the image reading device 1 generates an RGB value consisting of three values ​​such as RGB(165,42,42) based on this image signal, and outputs this RGB value from the image reading device 1. In other words, in this embodiment, color information, which is information about the color of the original document or the object to be measured, is acquired by the image reading device 1, and this color information is output from the image reading device 1 in a data format consisting of three values ​​(a predetermined data format).

[0033] The first point light source array 16 is located upstream of the specific location 40 to be read in the direction of movement of the reading unit 12 (the direction of movement when reading the object to be measured), and irradiates light toward the specific location 40 located downstream. The second point light source array 18 is located downstream of the specific location 40 in the direction of movement of the reading unit 12, and irradiates light toward the specific location 40 located upstream.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the angle θ1 (angle of incidence of light) between the perpendicular line 70, which is perpendicular to the support surface 11D and passes through the specific location 40, and the optical path R11 of the light from the first point light source array 16 toward the specific location 40 is 45°. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the angle θ2 between the perpendicular line 70 and the optical path R12 of light traveling from the second point light source row 18 to a specific location 40 (angle of incidence of light) is 45°. As a result, in this embodiment, the angle θ1 between the optical path R11 of light traveling from the first point light source array 16 to the specific location 40 and the perpendicular line 70 is equal to the angle θ2 between the optical path R12 of light traveling from the second point light source array 18 to the specific location 40 and the perpendicular line 70.

[0035] Figure 4 shows the reading unit 12 as viewed from the direction indicated by arrow IV in Figure 3. Note that the imaging optical system 31 and sensor 32 are not shown in Figure 4. In addition to the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18 described above, the reading unit 12 of this embodiment is also provided with a third light source 83 and a fourth light source 84. Each of the third light source 83 and the fourth light source 84 is, for example, composed of an LED. However, other types of light sources may be used instead of LEDs.

[0036] The third light source 83 and the fourth light source 84 are arranged such that their positions in the main scanning direction are different from each other. The third light source 83 is provided at one end 12E in the longitudinal direction of the reading unit 12, and the fourth light source 84 is provided at the other end 12F in the longitudinal direction of the reading unit 12. Furthermore, in the sub-scanning direction, the third light source 83 and the fourth light source 84 are located between the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18.

[0037] (Process for obtaining normal angles) In this embodiment, the angle of the normal to each surface of a specific location 40 of the object to be measured (hereinafter referred to as "normal angle") is obtained. In other words, in this embodiment, the normal angle of each part that constitutes the surface of the object to be measured is obtained. To obtain the normal angle, first, the component of this normal angle in the sub-scanning direction (hereinafter referred to as the "sub-scanning direction component") is obtained. Then, the component of this normal angle in the primary scanning direction (hereinafter referred to as the "primary scanning direction component") is obtained. In this embodiment, the normal angle is obtained based on the sub-scanning direction component and the main scanning direction component. Below, we will first explain the process for acquiring the sub-scanning direction component, and then the process for acquiring the main scanning direction component.

[0038] (Process for acquiring the sub-scanning direction component) In acquiring the sub-scanning direction component, the CPU 111 first outputs a control signal to the control unit that controls the light irradiation unit 12A, causing it to sequentially irradiate specific points 40 with light from each of multiple directions. Specifically, the CPU 111 sequentially illuminates a specific location 40 with light from multiple locations that are at different positions in the sub-scanning direction, which is an example of a unidirectional direction. More specifically, the CPU 111 sequentially illuminates specific locations 40 with light from the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18, respectively, as shown in (A) and (B) of Figure 5 (a diagram showing the lighting state of the light sources).

[0039] Then, the CPU 111 acquires information about the inclination of the surface of the specific location 40 (sub-scanning direction component) based on the information of the light received by the photodetector 32A when light is shone on the specific location 40 from the first point light source array 16 and the information of the light received by the photodetector 32A when light is shone on the specific location 40 from the second point light source array 18. In other words, the CPU 111 obtains information about the inclination of the surface of the specific location 40 (sub-scanning direction component) based on the information output from the photodetector 32A when light is shone on the specific location 40 from one direction, and the information output from the photodetector 32A when light is shone on the specific location 40 from another direction, which is the opposite direction to the one direction.

[0040] The irradiation of specific areas 40 with light will be explained in detail. When the CPU 111 illuminates a specific location 40 with light from the first point light source array 16, it moves the reading unit 12 to the right in the figure, with only the first point light source array 16 lit, as shown in Figure 5(A). In this case, light is shone onto the specific location 40 from the lower left direction in the diagram.

[0041] In this embodiment, the specific location 40 moves sequentially in accordance with the movement of the reading unit 12. In this embodiment, "specific location 40" refers to a part of the surface of the object to be measured. More specifically, "specific location 40" refers to a part of the surface of the object to be measured that is read by one of the multiple light-receiving elements 32A provided on the sensor 32. In this embodiment, as the reading unit 12 moves, the single light-receiving element 32A moves, and consequently, the specific location 40, which is the part read by this single light-receiving element 32A, also moves sequentially.

[0042] Next, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5(B), the CPU 111 moves the reading unit 12 to the right in the figure while only the second point light source array 18 is lit. In this case, light is shone on the specific location 40 from the lower right direction in the figure. In this way, when the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18 are turned on in sequence, light is sequentially irradiated onto the specific location 40 from multiple locations. Specifically, light is first shone onto a specific location 40 from a point located in the lower left direction, and then light is shone onto the same specific location 40 from a point located in the lower right direction.

[0043] In this embodiment, the case described is when the reading unit 12 moves to the right in the figure, and the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18 are illuminated in sequence. By the way, this is not the only option; for example, when the reading unit 12 moves to the right in the figure, the first point light source array 16 may be lit, and when the reading unit 12 moves to the left in the figure, the second point light source array 18 may be lit. Furthermore, there is no particular order in which each light source row is turned on; for example, the second point light source row 18 may be turned on first, followed by the first point light source row 16.

[0044] When light is shone on a specific location 40 from the first point light source array 16, the CPU 111 obtains information about the light received by the light-receiving element 32A, which reads information about this specific location 40. Furthermore, when light is shone on the same specific location 40 from the second point light source array 18, the CPU 111 obtains information about the light received by the same light-receiving element 32A. In other words, the CPU 111 obtains the output value from the photodetector 32A when light is shone on a specific location 40 from the first point light source array 16. The CPU 111 also obtains the output value from the same photodetector 32A when light is shone on this specific location 40 from the second point light source array 18.

[0045] The CPU 111 then obtains a sub-scanning direction component based on the output value output from the photodetector 32A when light is shone on a specific location 40 from the first point light source array 16, and the output value output from the photodetector 32A when light is shone on a specific location 40 from the second point light source array 18. More specifically, the CPU 111 determines that the sub-scanning direction component is 0° if, for example, the output value output from the photodetector 32A when light is shone on a specific location 40 from the first point light source array 16 is equal to the output value output from the photodetector 32A when light is shone on the specific location 40 from the second point light source array 18.

[0046] More specifically, assuming a perpendicular line 70 (see Figure 5(A)) that is perpendicular to the support surface 11D and passes through a specific location 40, the CPU 111 outputs information indicating that the slope of the normal 40X of the surface 40A of the specific location 40, relative to the perpendicular line 70, is 0°, if the two output values ​​mentioned above are equal. Furthermore, if the two output values ​​are different, CPU111 outputs the slope of the normal 40X relative to the perpendicular 70 as a value other than 0°.

[0047] In this embodiment, for example, if the output value obtained when light is shone on a specific location 40 from the first point light source array 16 is greater than the output value obtained when light is shone on the specific location 40 from the second point light source array 18, then the normal vector 40X will be pointing in the direction indicated by arrow 4E in Figure 5(A). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the CPU 111 obtains the specific angle of the normal 40X with respect to the perpendicular 70 (hereinafter referred to as the "normal angle") based on these two output values, and acquires this normal angle as the sub-scanning direction component.

[0048] Furthermore, for example, if the output value obtained when light is shone from the first point light source array 16 onto a specific location 40 is smaller than the output value obtained when light is shone from the second point light source array 18 onto the specific location 40, then the normal vector 40X is pointing in the direction indicated by arrow 4F in Figure 5(A). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the CPU 111 obtains the specific angle (normal angle) of the normal 40X with respect to the perpendicular 70 based on these two output values, and acquires this normal angle as the sub-scanning direction component.

[0049] (Process for obtaining the normal angle (sub-scanning direction component)) This section explains the details of the process for obtaining the normal angle (sub-scanning direction component). In this embodiment, as described above, the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18 are individually lit to acquire two scan images. More specifically, as described above, first, with the first point light source array 16 lit, the reading unit 12 is moved to illuminate each of the specific locations 40 from the lower left direction, thereby obtaining a scan image of one eye. Next, with the second point light source array 18 illuminated, the reading unit 12 is moved to obtain two scanned images of the eye by illuminating each of the specific locations 40 with light from the lower right direction. Next, in this embodiment, these two scanned images are converted to grayscale.

[0050] Subsequently, the two output values ​​mentioned above are obtained for the same pixel from these two scanned images. Specifically, for the same specific location 40, both the output value output from the photodetector 32A when light is irradiated from the first point light source array 16 and the output value output from the same photodetector 32A when light is irradiated from the second point light source array 18 are obtained.

[0051] More specifically, in this embodiment, one light-receiving element 32A reads one specific location 40. In this embodiment, two output values ​​are obtained: an output value output from one light-receiving element 32A when light is shone on a specific location 40 from the first point light source array 16, and an output value output from the same light-receiving element 32A when light is shone on the same specific location 40 from the second point light source array 18.

[0052] More specifically, in this embodiment, two output values ​​are obtained for each of the same pixel positions (x, y) in each scanned image. In this embodiment, the output value obtained from one scanned image is denoted as D_-45(x, y), and the output value obtained from the other scanner image is denoted as D_45(x, y). Here, the value "-45" indicates the angle of incidence of light from the first point light source array 16. The value "45" indicates the angle of incidence of light from the second point light source array 18.

[0053] Next, in this embodiment, the above output value (D_-45) obtained when light is irradiated from the first point light source array 16 is associated with the incident angle "-45°", and the above output value (D_45) obtained when light is irradiated from the second point light source array 18 is associated with the incident angle "+45°". Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the incident angle is ±180° with respect to the perpendicular line 70, the output value from the sensor 32 becomes zero. Therefore, the output value "0" is associated with the incident angle "-180°", and the output value "0" is associated with the incident angle "+180°".

[0054] Next, CPU111 performs fitting with the incident angle as the independent variable (e.g., -180° to +180°) and the output value as the dependent variable (e.g., 0 to 255). More specifically, CPU111 uses a BRDF model (such as Cook-Torrance) or spline interpolation to fit the model based on four incidence angles: -180°, -45°, +45°, and +180°, and four output values ​​associated with each of these four incidence angles.

[0055] More specifically, CPU 111 performs a process to fit the spline curve to the four output values ​​mentioned above. Next, a peak is extracted from the spline curve after fitting, and the independent variable (incidence angle) corresponding to this peak is identified as the incidence angle of the surface 40A of the specific location 40 in question. Then, based on the incident angle it has determined, the CPU 111 obtains the normal angle (sub-scanning direction component) of the surface 40A of the specific location 40. The CPU 111 performs the above processing for each of the specific locations 40 and obtains the normal angle (sub-scanning direction component) for each specific location 40.

[0056] Figure 6 shows the relationship between the angle of incidence and the normal angle. In Figure 6, the angle indicated by sign α shows an example of the incident angle obtained based on the peak of the spline curve after fitting. Specifically, this example illustrates the case where an incident angle of 30° is obtained. When the CPU 111 recognizes this incident angle of 30°, it obtains half of this incident angle, 15°, as the normal angle β of the surface 40A of the specific location 40. In this example, the CPU 111 acquires this normal angle β (15°) as the sub-scanning direction component.

[0057] In obtaining information about the inclination of the surface 40A of the specific location 40, one possible method is to irradiate the specific location 40 with light from, for example, only one location. In this case, by receiving the reflected light from this specific location 40 and determining the intensity of this received reflected light, it is possible to tentatively determine the inclination of the surface 40A of this specific location 40.

[0058] Incidentally, the intensity of reflected light is affected by the color of specific location 40, and the intensity of reflected light changes depending on the color of specific location 40, which may make it impossible to accurately determine the inclination of the surface 40A of specific location 40. In contrast, as in this embodiment, if light is sequentially irradiated onto the specific location 40 from each of the two locations, the influence of color is reduced, and the inclination of the surface 40A of the specific location 40 can be obtained with greater accuracy.

[0059] (Acquisition process for the main scanning direction component) Next, we will explain the process for obtaining the main scanning direction component (the component of the normal angle in the main scanning direction). In the process of acquiring the main scanning direction component, the CPU 111 first outputs a control signal to the control unit that controls the light irradiation unit 12A, causing it to sequentially irradiate specific locations 40 with light from each of the multiple directions.

[0060] Figures 7(A) and 7(B) show the reading unit 12 and the object to be measured from the direction indicated by arrow VII in Figure 1. In the process of acquiring the main scanning direction component, the CPU 111 sequentially lights up the third light source 83 and the fourth light source 84, as shown in Figures 7(A) and (B), to acquire the main scanning direction component. Specifically, the CPU 111 obtains information about the light received by the photodetector 32A when light is shone from the third light source 83 to a specific location 40, and information about the light received by the same photodetector 32A when light is shone from the fourth light source 84 to the specific location 40, and based on this information, it acquires the main scanning direction component. In other words, in this case as well, the CPU 111 acquires the main scanning direction component based on the output value output from the photodetector 32A when light is shone on the specific location 40 from one location, and the output value output from the photodetector 32A when light is shone on the specific location 40 from another location.

[0061] More specifically, the CPU 111 moves the reading unit 12 in the sub-scanning direction with only the third light source 83 lit (see Figure 7(A)). In this case, the specific location 40 shown in Figure 7(A) is illuminated from the lower right direction in the figure. Next, as shown in Figure 7(B), the CPU 111 moves the reading unit 12 in the sub-scanning direction with only the fourth light source 84 lit. In this case, light is shone on the specific location 40 from the lower left direction in the figure. In this way, when acquiring the main scanning direction component, light is irradiated onto the specific location 40 from multiple locations.

[0062] Note that in Figures 7(A) and (B), only one specific location 40 is shown. In this embodiment, the same process is followed for each of the other specified locations 40 (not shown) located to the right of this one specified location 40 in the figure, and for each of the other specified locations 40 (not shown) located to the left of this one specified location 40 in the figure, by sequentially irradiating them with light from the lower right and then from the lower left.

[0063] The third light source 83 and the fourth light source 84 may be illuminated as described above when the reading unit 12 moves to the right in Figure 1. However, this is not limited to this; for example, when the reading unit 12 moves to the right, one of the third light source 83 and the fourth light source 84 may be illuminated, and when the reading unit 12 moves to the left, the other light source may be illuminated. Furthermore, there is no particular order in which the light sources are turned on; the fourth light source 84 may be turned on first, followed by the third light source 83.

[0064] The CPU 111 obtains the output value from the light-receiving element 32A when light is shone from the third light source 83 onto a specific location 40. The CPU 111 also obtains the output value from the light-receiving element 32A when light is shone from the fourth light source 84 onto a specific location 40. Then, the CPU 111 obtains information about the inclination of the surface 40A of the specific location 40 (main scanning direction component) based on the output value output from the photodetector 32A when light is shone on the specific location 40 from the third light source 83 and the output value received by the photodetector 32A when light is shone on the specific location 40 from the fourth light source 84, similar to the process described above when obtaining the sub-scanning direction component.

[0065] More specifically, the CPU 111, as described above, for example, if the output value output from the photodetector 32A when light is shone on a specific location 40 from the third light source 83 is equal to the output value output from the photodetector 32A when light is shone on a specific location 40 from the fourth light source 84, then outputs information indicating that the slope of the normal 40X of the surface 40A of the specific location 40, relative to the perpendicular 70, is 0°. Furthermore, if the two output values ​​are different, CPU111 outputs the slope of the normal 40X relative to the perpendicular 70 as a value other than 0°.

[0066] For example, if the output value output from the photodetector 32A when light is shone from the third light source 83 onto a specific location 40 is greater than the output value output from the photodetector 32A when light is shone from the fourth light source 84 onto the specific location 40, then the normal vector 40X will be pointing in the direction indicated by arrow 7G in Figure 7(A). Based on these two output values, CPU111 obtains the specific angle of the normal vector 40X with respect to the perpendicular vector 70 (hereinafter referred to as the "normal angle").

[0067] Furthermore, for example, if the output value output from the photodetector 32A when light is shone from the third light source 83 onto a specific location 40 is smaller than the output value output from the photodetector 32A when light is shone from the fourth light source 84 onto the specific location 40, then the normal vector 40X will be pointing in the direction indicated by arrow 7H in Figure 7(A). In this case as well, the CPU 111 obtains the specific angle (normal angle) of the normal vector 40X relative to the perpendicular vector 70, based on these two output values.

[0068] (Processing details) This section explains the details of the process for obtaining the normal angle (main scanning direction component). In this embodiment, the third light source 83 and the fourth light source 84 are individually lit to acquire two scan images. More specifically, by moving the reading unit 12 while the third light source 83 is lit, a scan image of one eye is obtained by illuminating each of the specific locations 40 with light from the lower right direction. Next, with the fourth light source 84 lit, the reading unit 12 is moved to obtain two scanned images of the eyes by illuminating each of the specific locations 40 with light from the lower left direction. Next, in this embodiment, these two scanned images are converted to grayscale.

[0069] Subsequently, two output values ​​are obtained for the same pixel from these two scanned images. In other words, two output values ​​are obtained for the same specific location 40. More specifically, for the same specific location 40, both the output value output from the photodetector 32A when light is irradiated from the third light source 83 and the output value output from the same photodetector 32A when light is irradiated from the fourth light source 84 are obtained.

[0070] In other words, for each scanned image, two output values ​​are obtained for each of the same pixel positions (x, y). In this embodiment, the output value obtained from one scanned image is denoted as D_75(x, y), and the output value obtained from the other scanner image is denoted as D_-75(x, y). Here, the value "75" represents the angle of incidence of light from the third light source 83 (see Figure 7(A)) toward the specific location 40 shown in Figure 7(A) (the specific location 40 located in the center). The value "-75" represents the angle of incidence of light from the fourth light source 84 toward this specific location 40. Here, the specific location 40 shown in Figure 7(A) (the specific location 40 located in the central part) is located at an intermediate position between the third light source 83 and the fourth light source 84.

[0071] Next, in this embodiment, the above output value (D_75) obtained when light is irradiated from the third light source 83 is associated with the incident angle "+75°", and the above output value (D_-75) obtained when light is irradiated from the fourth light source 84 is associated with the incident angle "-75°". Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the incident angle is ±180° with respect to the perpendicular line 70, the output value from the light-receiving element 32A becomes zero. Therefore, the output value "0" is associated with the incident angle "-180°", and the output value "0" is associated with the incident angle "+180°".

[0072] Next, CPU111 performs fitting, similar to the above, with the incident angle as the independent variable (e.g., -180° to +180°) and the output value as the dependent variable (e.g., 0 to 255). More specifically, CPU111 uses a BRDF model (such as Cook-Torrance) or spline interpolation to fit the model based on four incidence angles: -180°, -75°, +75°, and +180°, and four output values ​​associated with each of these four incidence angles.

[0073] More specifically, CPU 111 performs a process to fit the spline curve to the four output values ​​mentioned above. Next, a peak is extracted from the spline curve after fitting, and the independent variable (incidence angle) corresponding to this peak is identified as the incidence angle of the surface 40A of the specific location 40 in question. Then, based on the incident angle it has determined, the CPU 111 obtains the normal angle (main scanning direction component) of the surface 40A of the specific location 40. Specifically, as described above, the CPU 111 obtains half the value of the incident angle as the normal angle (main scanning direction component). The CPU 111 performs this process for each of the specific locations 40 and obtains the normal angle (main scanning direction component) for each of the specific locations 40.

[0074] Figure 7 shows a specific location 40 that is midway between the third light source 83 and the fourth light source 84. Here, for other specific locations 40 located outside this intermediate position, it is preferable to correct the two output values ​​obtained above and use the two corrected output values ​​to obtain the normal angle (main scanning direction component). Specifically, for example, when determining the normal angle (main scanning direction component) for a specific location 40 at the position indicated by reference numeral 7K in Figure 7(A), it is preferable to correct one or both of the two output values ​​obtained for this specific location 40, and then determine the normal angle based on the two corrected output values.

[0075] For a specific location 40 that is located outside the intermediate position, the angle between the optical path of light from the installation location of the third light source 83 (an example of the third location) to this specific location 40 and the support surface 11D is different from the angle between the optical path of light from the installation location of the fourth light source 84 (an example of the fourth location) to this specific location 40 and the support surface 11D. In this case, even if the surface 40A of this specific location 40 is horizontal and the normal angle should be output as 0°, there is a risk that the normal angle may be output as a value other than 0° due to the difference in the angle formed. Therefore, as described above, it is preferable to correct the two output values ​​output from the light-receiving element 32A and determine the normal angle based on the two corrected output values.

[0076] More specifically, in the correction process, the CPU 111 increases the output value output from the light-receiving element 32A when light is shone from the installation location that creates a smaller angle between the two installation locations, and / or decreases the output value output from the light-receiving element 32A when light is shone from the location that creates a larger angle between the two locations. Then, CPU111 determines the normal angle based on the two output values ​​after this correction using the method described above (the method using spline interpolation, etc.).

[0077] In this embodiment, the positional relationship between the third light source 83, the fourth light source 84, and the specific location 40 changes depending on the position of the specific location 40 in the main scanning direction. In this case, even if a specific location 40 has a normal angle of 0°, if this specific location 40 is close to either the third light source 83 or the fourth light source 84, there is a risk that the normal angle will be something other than 0°. Therefore, in this embodiment, as described above, one or both of the two output values ​​are corrected to minimize the influence of the angle between them, and the normal angle is determined based on the two corrected output values.

[0078] (Correction of output value) Let's explain the correction of output values ​​in more detail. In this embodiment, before correcting the two output values ​​mentioned above, the reading unit 12 is moved to a position opposite the white reference plate 71 (see Figure 1). Next, the third light source 83 is turned on, and a scan image of the first eye (a scan image of one line) is obtained by illuminating each of the multiple pixels constituting the reference plate 71 with light from the lower right direction. Next, the fourth light source 84 is turned on, and a second scan image (a scan image for one line) is obtained by illuminating each of the multiple pixels constituting the reference plate 71 with light from the lower left direction. Next, in this embodiment, these two scanned images are converted to grayscale.

[0079] Subsequently, two output values ​​are obtained for the same pixel from the two scanned images. In other words, two output values ​​are obtained for each of the same pixels. More specifically, for the same pixel, both the output value output from the photodetector 32A when light is irradiated from the third light source 83 and the output value output from the same photodetector 32A when light is irradiated from the fourth light source 84 are obtained.

[0080] Then, CPU111 generates correction parameters based on these two output values. Specifically, CPU111 generates correction parameters to bring these two output values ​​closer together. More specifically, the CPU 111 generates a correction parameter corresponding to each of the multiple photodetectors 32A, associates this correction parameter with the corresponding photodetector 32A, and then registers this correction parameter in a memory (not shown).

[0081] In this embodiment, as described above, if two output values ​​are obtained from each of the multiple photodetectors 32A, the correction parameters registered in association with the photodetectors 32A are read and acquired. Then, these correction parameters are used to correct the two output values ​​obtained by the photodetectors 32A. This results in two output values ​​that are not affected by the angle formed above. Subsequently, CPU111 uses the method described above (the method using spline interpolation, etc.) to determine the normal angle (main scanning direction component) based on these two corrected output values.

[0082] In this example, the normal angle was determined using spline interpolation or similar methods based on the two corrected output values. However, the method is not limited to this; the normal angle may also be determined based on the ratio of the two corrected output values. For example, CPU111 will determine that the normal angle is 0° if the ratio of the two corrected output values ​​is 50:50. Furthermore, if the ratio of the two corrected output values ​​is not 50:50, CPU111 will determine that the normal angle is a value other than 0°.

[0083] (Output of tilt information) As described above, CPU111 obtains the component of the normal angle in the sub-scanning direction (sub-scanning direction component) and the component of the normal angle in the main scanning direction (main scanning direction component). Next, the CPU 111 obtains the tangent vector Nx=(1,0,X') in the sub-scanning direction based on the sub-scanning direction component. The CPU 111 also obtains the tangent vector Ny=(0,1,Y') in the main scanning direction based on the main scanning direction component.

[0084] Next, CPU111 calculates the cross product of these two tangent vectors to find the three-dimensional normal vector N. In this embodiment, the CPU 111 further calculates the norm of the three-dimensional normal vector N and normalizes the three-dimensional normal vector N (n = N / |N|). Next, the CPU 111 adds 1 to each component of n, divides by 2, and then multiplies by 255 to obtain the values ​​corresponding to each of the X, Y, and Z components. The CPU111 then outputs these three values, corresponding to each of the XYZ components, in a data format consisting of three values.

[0085] In this embodiment, the tilt information is output in a data format consisting of three values. More specifically, in this embodiment, the tilt information is output in the same data format used when color information is output. In this embodiment, as described above, the image reading device 1 acquires color information, which is information about the color of the object to be measured, and this color information is output from the image reading device 1 in a predetermined data format. In this embodiment, the tilt information is output in the same predetermined data format used when outputting the color information.

[0086] More specifically, in this embodiment, color information is output in a data format in which three consecutive values ​​of each RGB component are arranged. In this embodiment, tilt information is also output in a format in which three values ​​are arranged. More specifically, when outputting tilt information, the tilt information is output in a format consisting of three values: the X component (component of the normal angle in the sub-scanning direction), the Y component (component of the normal angle in the main scanning direction), and the Z component (component of the normal angle in a direction orthogonal to both the main and sub-scanning directions).

[0087] In this way, by outputting the tilt information in the same data format used when color information is output, other computers that acquire this tilt information can display the degree of tilt of each of the 40 specific locations using color differences without having to prepare any special software. In other words, if the tilt information is output in the same data format used when color information is output, other computers that acquire this tilt information can display the normal map without having to prepare any special software. More specifically, other computers that acquire tilt information can use software that visually displays the color of each pixel based on RGB values ​​to display the degree of tilt of each of the 40 specific locations using color.

[0088] (A series of steps in the lighting process) Figure 8 shows a series of steps in the process of lighting up the light source provided in the reading unit 12. In the processing of this embodiment, first, as shown in Figure 8(A), the reading unit 12 is moved in the sub-scanning direction with the first point light source array 16 illuminated. As a result, light is irradiated onto the specific location 40 from the left side in the figure. Next, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8(B), with the second point light source array 18 illuminated, the reading unit 12 is moved in the sub-scanning direction. As a result, light is irradiated onto the specific location 40 from the right side in the figure.

[0089] In this embodiment, light is sequentially irradiated onto a specific location 40 from multiple locations that are at different positions in one direction, as indicated by arrow 8X (see Figures 8(A) and (B)). More specifically, in this embodiment, a first point light source 16A and a second point light source 18B are substantially provided, with their positions in one direction being different from each other. When the first point light source 16A and the second point light source 18B are turned on in sequence, light is sequentially irradiated onto the specific location 40 from multiple locations that are in different positions in one direction.

[0090] Next, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8(C), the reading unit 12 is moved in the sub-scanning direction while the third light source 83 is lit. As a result, for example, light is irradiated onto a specific location 40 from the upper side in the figure. Next, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8(D), the reading unit 12 is moved in the sub-scanning direction while the fourth light source 84 is lit. As a result, for example, light is irradiated onto a specific location 40 from the lower side in the figure.

[0091] When the third light source 83 and the fourth light source 84 are turned on in sequence, light is sequentially shone onto the specific location 40 from multiple locations whose positions are different in the direction that intersects (orthogonal to) the one direction (indicated by arrow 8Y) above (indicated by arrow 8X). In this embodiment, a third light source 83 and a fourth light source 84 are provided, whose positions in a direction intersecting the above-mentioned one direction are different from each other. In this embodiment, the third light source 83 and the fourth light source 84 are turned on in sequence. As a result, light is sequentially irradiated onto the specific location 40 from multiple locations that are at different positions in the intersecting direction. Through the lighting process described above, in this embodiment, the specific location 40 is illuminated with light from four different directions.

[0092] Subsequently, in this embodiment, as described above, the sub-scanning direction component and the main scanning direction component are obtained for each of the specific locations 40. Then, as described above, the three-dimensional normal vector N is obtained based on the sub-scanning direction component and the main scanning direction component. In this embodiment, the case in which the light sources are turned on in the order of the first point light source array 16, the second point light source array 18, the third light source 83, and the fourth light source 84 has been described as an example, but the light sources are not limited to this order and may be turned on in other orders.

[0093] For example, the third light source 83 and the fourth light source 84 may be lit first, and then the first point light source row 16 and the second point light source row 18 may be lit later. Alternatively, one of the first point light source arrays 16 and the second point light source array 18 may be lit first, then one of the third light source arrays 83 and the fourth light source array 84 may be lit, then the other point light source array of the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18 may be lit, and then the other light source of the third light source array 83 and the fourth light source array 84 may be lit. Alternatively, one of the third light source 83 and the fourth light source 84 may be lit first, then one of the first point light source rows 16 and the second point light source row 18 may be lit, then the other of the third light source 83 and the fourth light source 84 may be lit, and then the other of the first point light source row 16 and the second point light source row 18 may be lit.

[0094] (Other configuration examples) Figure 9 shows another example configuration of the reading unit 12. In this configuration example, the first mirror M1, as an example of a light reflecting member, is provided on the side 206 of the installation location of the third light source 83 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "the third location 203"), which is located on the side 206 opposite to the installation side of the fourth light source 84, with the third location 203 in between. This first mirror M1 reflects light from the third light source 83 toward the support surface 11D and toward the third light source 83.

[0095] Furthermore, in this configuration example, a second mirror M2, as an example of a light reflecting member, is provided on the side 207 of the installation location of the fourth light source 84 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "the fourth location 204"), which is located on the side 207 opposite to the installation side of the third light source 83, with the fourth location 204 in between. This second mirror M2 reflects light from the fourth light source 84 toward the support surface 11D and toward the fourth light source 84.

[0096] In this way, by installing mirrors (first mirror M1, second mirror M2) to the side of the light source installation location, the number of specific locations 40 from which the main scanning direction component can be acquired can be increased. In this embodiment, it is necessary to irradiate a specific location 40 with light from diagonally below. If the first mirror M1 and the second mirror M2 are not provided, for example, the main scanning direction component can be obtained for the specific location 40 located within the region indicated by reference numeral 9A.

[0097] In contrast, by providing a first mirror M1 and a second mirror M2 as in this embodiment, it becomes possible to illuminate the location indicated by reference numeral 9B, for example, from diagonally below, and the main scanning direction component can also be acquired for the specific location 40 located at the location indicated by reference numeral 9B. In Figure 9, an example was shown where mirrors are provided on both the side of the third light source 83 and the side of the fourth light source 84. However, mirrors may be provided on only one of these sides.

[0098] (Other configuration examples) Figure 10 shows another example configuration of the reading unit 12. In this configuration example, multiple light sources are provided at each of the third location 203 and the fourth location 204, with their positions in the main scanning direction differing from each other. In other words, in this configuration example, additional light sources are provided inside the third light source 83 and the fourth light source 84 shown in Figure 4. More specifically, in this embodiment, a first additional light source 83A is provided inside the third light source 83, and a second additional light source 84A is provided inside the fourth light source 84.

[0099] In this configuration example, when illuminating a specific location 40 located within the region indicated by reference numeral 10A, which is located on the side of the third location 203, the third light source 83 and the second additional light source 84A are turned on in sequence. Furthermore, in this configuration example, when illuminating a specific location 40 located within the region indicated by reference numeral 10B, which is located on the side of the fourth location 204, the fourth light source 84 and the first additional light source 83A are turned on in sequence. Furthermore, when illuminating a specific location 40 situated midway between the third location 203 and the fourth location 204, the third light source 83 and the fourth light source 84 are turned on.

[0100] In this embodiment, for a specific location 40 that is closer to one of the third light source 83 and the fourth light source 84, the angle between the optical path of the light from the other light source toward this specific location 40 and the support surface 11D becomes small. If this angle is too small, the acquisition accuracy of the main scanning direction component may decrease. In contrast, as in this embodiment, by illuminating an additional light source located on the opposite side from the side where the specific location 40 is located, the decrease in the angle described above can be suppressed, and the decrease in the accuracy of acquiring components in the main scanning direction can be suppressed. In this embodiment, the case in which additional light sources are provided at each of the installation locations of the third light source 83 and the fourth light source 84 has been described. However, additional light sources may be provided at only one of the installation locations of the third light source 83 and the fourth light source 84.

[0101] (Other configuration examples) Figure 11 shows another example of the configuration of the scanner device 10. Note that Figure 11 shows the top surface of the scanner device 10 as viewed from the direction indicated by arrow XI in Figure 1. In this configuration example, a reference member 300 is provided, which is positioned along the direction of movement of a reading unit 12 (not shown in Figure 11), which is an example of a moving body. This reference member 300 is mounted on the inner surface of the device frame 14. In this configuration example, the reference member 300 is located within the reading area 32X along the main scanning direction, as determined by the sensor 32 (see Figure 3), and the sensor 32 reads the reference member 300.

[0102] The portion of the reference member 300 that is read by the sensor 32 is white. Furthermore, when the reference member 300 is read by the sensor 32, the reference member 300 is illuminated with light by the array of light sources and the light source provided in the reading unit 12. More specifically, in this embodiment, as described above, when illuminating a specific location 40 with light, the first point light source array 16, the second point light source array 18, the third light source 83, and the fourth light source 84 are lit in sequence. When this lighting is performed, light is irradiated onto the reference member 300 from each of the light source arrays and light sources. At this time, the reflected light from the reference member 300 is directed towards the sensor 32.

[0103] The reference member 300 is used to understand the light source array and the fluctuations in the light emitted from the light source. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, the reading unit 12 is moved multiple times, and each time it is moved, the reference member 300 is read in addition to the object to be measured. In this configuration example, the output values ​​(output values ​​used to determine the normal angle) output from each of the light-receiving elements 32A are corrected based on the reading results of the reference member 300.

[0104] Specifically, in this embodiment, the reading results of the reference member 300 are used to determine the variations in the color and amount of light emitted from the light source array and each light source, and the output values ​​output from each of the light-receiving elements 32A are corrected so as to minimize the influence of these variations on the reading of the specific location 40. This suppresses fluctuations in the output value depending on the position of the reading unit 12 in the sub-scanning direction, thereby suppressing the decrease in acquisition accuracy of the sub-scanning direction component and the main scanning direction component caused by these fluctuations.

[0105] [Second Embodiment] Figures 12(A) to (D) show the basic processing flow of the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the third light source 83 and the fourth light source 84 are not provided. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 12(A), with one point light source 98 included in the first point light source array 16 illuminated, the reading unit 12 is moved in the sub-scanning direction, as described above. As a result, as shown in Figure 12(A), light is irradiated onto the specific location 40 from the upper left direction.

[0106] Next, as shown in Figure 12(B), with one of the other point light sources 98 included in the first point light source array 16 illuminated, the reading unit 12 is moved in the sub-scanning direction. This causes light to be shone onto the specific location 40 from the lower left direction. Next, as shown in Figure 12(C), with one point light source 98 included in the second point light source array 18 illuminated, the reading unit 12 is moved in the sub-scanning direction. This causes light to be shone onto the specific location 40 from the upper right direction. Here, when comparing the positions in the main operating direction, the position of the one point light source 98 included in the first point light source array 16 (the point light source 98 indicated by reference numeral 12A in Figure 12(A)) coincides with the position of the same one point light source 98 included in the second point light source array 18.

[0107] Next, as shown in Figure 12(D), with the other point light source 98 included in the second point light source array 18 illuminated, the reading unit 12 is moved in the sub-scanning direction. This causes light to be shone onto the specific location 40 from the lower right direction. Here, when comparing the positions in the main operating direction, the position of the other point light source 98 included in the first point light source array 16 (the point light source 98 indicated by reference numeral 12B in Figure 12(B)) coincides with the position of this other point light source 98 included in the second point light source array 18.

[0108] Furthermore, when illuminating a specific location 40 with light from point light sources 98 included in the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18, if total internal reflection is likely to occur within each of the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18, it becomes difficult to illuminate the specific location 40 with light from an oblique direction as described above. Specifically, if total internal reflection is likely to occur within each of the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18, then light mainly along the sub-scanning direction will be emitted from each of the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18, and light directed towards a specific location 40 from an oblique direction will be less likely to be emitted.

[0109] More specifically, in each of the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18, a transparent guide member (not shown) may be provided at a position opposite the point light source 98 and on the optical path of the light traveling from the point light source 98 to a specific location 40 to guide the light. When such a guide member is provided, total internal reflection occurs on the surface of the guide member facing the point light source 98, making it difficult for light to be emitted from an oblique direction toward a specific location 40. In cases where total internal reflection is likely to occur, it is preferable to remove the guide member, attach a moth-eye film, or install an LCF (light control film) to prevent total internal reflection.

[0110] In this embodiment as well, the CPU 111 sequentially lights up one point light source 98 included in the first point light source array 16 (hereinafter referred to as "first point light source 98A") and the other point light source 98 included in the second point light source array 18 (hereinafter referred to as "second point light source 98B"), as shown in Figures 12(A) and (D). As a result, light is sequentially irradiated onto the specific location 40 from multiple locations, each at a different position in one direction, as indicated by the reference numeral 12X in Figures 12(A) and (D). In this embodiment, "one direction" refers to a direction that intersects both the sub-scanning direction and the main scanning direction.

[0111] Furthermore, the CPU 111 sequentially lights up the other point light source 98 included in the first point light source array 16 (hereinafter referred to as the "third point light source 98C") and the other point light source 98 included in the second point light source array 18 (hereinafter referred to as the "fourth point light source 98D"). As a result, light is sequentially shone onto the specific location 40 from multiple locations whose positions in the direction intersecting the aforementioned one direction are different from each other.

[0112] The first point light source 98A included in the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source 98B included in the second point light source array 18 are located at different positions in the main operating direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the main scanning direction, the third point light source 98C is positioned on the side of the second point light source 98B more than the first point light source 98A. Also, in the main scanning direction, the fourth point light source 98D is positioned on the side of the first point light source 98A more than the second point light source 98B.

[0113] In this embodiment, the CPU 111 sequentially lights up the first point light source 98A and the second point light source 98B, sequentially illuminating the specific location 40 with light from multiple locations that are at different positions in one direction. Furthermore, the CPU 111 sequentially lights up the third point light source 98C, which is located closer to the second point light source 98B than the first point light source 98A, and the fourth point light source 98D, which is located closer to the first point light source 98A than the second point light source 98B, thereby sequentially illuminating the specific location 40 with light from multiple locations whose positions in the direction intersecting one direction are different from each other.

[0114] As a result, in this case as well, light can be irradiated onto the specific location 40 from four directions, and two sets of two output values ​​can be obtained, as described above. In this case, as described above, it becomes possible to acquire the component corresponding to the sub-scanning direction component based on the first set of two output values, and to acquire the component corresponding to the main scanning direction component based on the second set of two output values.

[0115] The basic process shown in Figure 12 describes the case where only one point light source 98 is lit when each of the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18 is lit once. Here, from the standpoint of efficiency, it is more preferable to illuminate multiple point light sources 98 in each of the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18. Specifically, as shown in (A) and (B) of Figure 13 (a diagram showing other lighting states of the light sources) and (C) and (D) of Figure 14 (a diagram showing other lighting states of the light sources), when lighting up the first point light source row 16 and the second point light source row 18, it is preferable to light up multiple point light sources 98.

[0116] In the examples shown in Figures 13 and 14, multiple specific locations 40 are set. These multiple specific locations 40 are set to be at different positions in the main scanning direction, as shown in Figure 13(A). In this case, the CPU 111, during the first illumination, illuminates every other point light source 98 included in the first point light source array 16, as shown in Figure 13(A). As a result, in this case, each of the specific locations 40 is illuminated from either the upper left or lower left direction.

[0117] Next, for the second lighting, the CPU 111 lights up every other point light source 98 included in the first point light source array 16, which are different from the point light source 98 that were lit during the first lighting, as shown in Figure 13(B). More specifically, in this case, the CPU 111 lights up the point light source 98 located between the point light sources 98 that were lit up during the first lighting. As a result, in this case, each of the specific locations 40 is illuminated with light from either the upper left or lower left direction. More specifically, in this case, the light is illuminated to the specific locations 40 from either the upper left or lower left direction, which is a different direction from the illumination direction during the first lighting.

[0118] Next, the CPU 111 performs a third illumination. In this third illumination, as shown in Figure 14(C), every other point light source 98 included in the second point light source array 18 is illuminated. As a result, in this case, each of the specific locations 40 is illuminated from either the upper right or lower right direction. Next, the CPU 111 performs the fourth lighting. In this fourth lighting, as shown in Figure 14(D), it lights up every other point light source 98 that is different from the point light source 98 that was lit during the third lighting. More specifically, in this case, the CPU 111 lights up the point light source 98 located between the point light sources 98 that were lit during the third lighting.

[0119] As a result, in this case, each of the specific locations 40 is illuminated with light from either the upper right or lower right direction. More specifically, in this case, the light is illuminated to the specific locations 40 from either the upper right or lower right direction, but from a different direction than the illumination direction during the third lighting. As a result, in this irradiation example, each of the 40 specific locations is irradiated with light from four directions.

[0120] In the examples shown in Figures 13 and 14, as shown in Figures 13(A) and 14(D), the multiple point light sources 98 included in the first point light source row 16 and the multiple point light sources 98 included in the second point light source row 18 are lit in sequence, and multiple specific locations 40 are illuminated with light from multiple locations that are different in one direction (the direction indicated by arrow 13X). Here, this "one direction" is the direction that intersects both the main operation direction and the sub-scanning direction.

[0121] Furthermore, in this example shown in Figures 13 and 14, as shown in Figures 13(B) and 14(C), the following steps are performed in sequence: lighting up multiple point light sources 98 that are different from the multiple point light sources 98 included in the first point light source array 16, and lighting up multiple point light sources 98 that are different from the multiple point light sources 98 included in the second point light source array 18. As a result, light is shone onto each of the multiple specific locations 40 from multiple locations that are in different positions in directions intersecting the aforementioned one direction. As a result, in this case as well, light is shone onto each of the multiple specific locations 40 from four directions.

[0122] Furthermore, if, after the four lighting cycles described above, there are still specific locations 40 that are not illuminated by light from all four directions, the still-unlit point light sources 98 are further lit to illuminate each of the remaining specific locations 40 that are not yet illuminated by light from all four directions.

[0123] Incidentally, depending on the positional relationship between the specific location 40 and the two point light sources 98 that illuminate this specific location 40, for example, the specific location 40 may not be located on the line connecting the two point light sources 98, and as a result, the two output values ​​may differ from each other, as described above. In other words, even if the surface 40A of the specific location 40 is aligned horizontally, depending on the positional relationship between this specific location 40 and the two point light sources 98, the two output values ​​may differ from each other.

[0124] Figure 15 shows the state of the light source and a specific area when viewed from above. In the configuration of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 15, there may be cases where the specific location 40 is not located on the line connecting the two point light sources 98. In this case, the angle θ between the first azimuth 17A when viewing the first point light source 98A from the perpendicular line 17E and the second azimuth 17B when viewing the second point light source 98B from the same perpendicular line 17E will be other than 180°.

[0125] More specifically, assuming a perpendicular line 17E to the support surface 11D (see Figure 3) that passes through a specific location 40, the angle θ between the azimuth 17A when viewing the first point light source 98A from this perpendicular line 17E and the azimuth 17B when viewing the second point light source 98B from this perpendicular line 17E is not 180°. In this case, similarly, the angle between the direction when viewing the third point light source 98C from the perpendicular line 17E and the direction when viewing the fourth point light source 98D from the perpendicular line 17E will also be something other than 180°. In this case, it is possible that the two output values ​​will be different from each other.

[0126] Therefore, in this case as well, it is preferable to correct the two output values, as described above. In other words, if the angle θ between the direction when viewing the first point light source 98A from the perpendicular line 17E and the direction when viewing the second point light source 98B from the perpendicular line 17E is other than 180°, it is preferable to correct the two output values ​​output from the light receiving element 32A. Similarly, if the angle between the direction when viewing the third point light source 98C from the perpendicular line 17E and the direction when viewing the fourth point light source 98D from the perpendicular line 17E is other than 180°, it is preferable to correct the two output values ​​output from the light receiving element 32A.

[0127] More specifically, in this case, it is preferable to associate a correction parameter with each of the photodetectors 32A, and to correct the two output values ​​obtained by the photodetectors 32A with this correction parameter.

[0128] In generating the correction parameters, as described above, the output value of the light-receiving element 32A is obtained when the reference plate 71 is read with the first point light source 98 illuminated. In addition, the output value of the light-receiving element 32A is obtained when the reference plate 71 is read with the second point light source 98, located on the opposite side of the specific location 40 from the first point light source 98, illuminated. Then, based on these two output values ​​obtained, correction parameters are generated to make these two output values ​​approach each other. These correction parameters are then registered in association with the photodetector 32A.

[0129] More specifically, in this embodiment as well, two sets of two output values ​​can be obtained from a single light-receiving element 32A. In this embodiment, a correction parameter is generated based on the first set of two output values ​​obtained when the reference plate 71 is read, and this correction parameter is associated with the light-receiving element 32A and the two point light sources 98 that were lit when these two output values ​​were obtained. Furthermore, correction parameters are generated based on the second set of two output values ​​obtained when the reference plate 71 is read, and these correction parameters are associated with the light-receiving element 32A and the two point light sources 98 that were lit when these two output values ​​were obtained.

[0130] [Third Embodiment] Figures 16(A) and (B) show the process of lighting the light source in the third embodiment. In this third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the third light source 83 and the fourth light source 84 are not provided. Furthermore, while Figures 16(A) and (B) show a state where one point light source 98 is lit, in this embodiment, when the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18 are lit, all point light sources 98 included in the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18 are lit. As a result, in this case, light aligned with the sub-scanning direction illuminates each of the multiple specific locations 40 aligned in the main scanning direction. In other words, although only one specific location 40 is shown in Figure 16, in reality, light aligned with the sub-scanning direction illuminates each of the multiple specific locations 40.

[0131] In this embodiment, the CPU 111 moves the reading unit 12 with the first point light source array 16 illuminated, as shown in Figure 16(A). Next, the CPU 111 moves the reading unit 12 with the second point light source array 18 illuminated, as shown in Figure 16(B). In this embodiment, the CPU 111 acquires the sub-scanning direction component for each of the specific locations 40 using the method described above.

[0132] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 16(A) and (B), light guide members 500 are provided between the first point light source array 16 and the specific location 40, and between the second point light source array 18 and the specific location 40. This light guide member 500 guides the light so that only the component of the light emitted from the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18 that is aligned with the sub-scanning direction is directed toward the specific location 40.

[0133] In this way, by providing the optical guide member 500, light having a component along the main scanning direction is less likely to be directed towards the specific location 40, and the accuracy of acquiring the sub-scanning direction component is improved. The light guide member 500 is composed of, for example, an LCF (Light Control Film) or a Fresnel lens with curvature on both sides. Note that the light guide member 500 is not essential and may be omitted.

[0134] Figure 17 shows the view of the object to be measured on the support surface 11D from the direction indicated by arrow XVII in Figure 1. When the CPU 111 obtains a sub-scanning direction component for each of the specific locations 40, it obtains height information for each of the specific locations 40 based on this obtained sub-scanning direction component. More specifically, as shown in Figure 17, the CPU 111 acquires height information for each of the specific locations 40 in each column R, where multiple specific locations 40 are arranged along the sub-scanning direction.

[0135] More specifically, the CPU 111 obtains height information for each of the specific locations 40 in each column R, based on the sub-scanning direction component obtained for each of the specific locations 40. More specifically, in Figure 17, the first column R1, the second column R2, and the third column R3 are displayed. For each of these columns R, information about the height of each specific location 40 contained within that column is obtained.

[0136] Figure 18 shows the heights of specific points 40 when viewed from the direction indicated by arrow XVIII in Figure 17, specifically in the first column R1 and the second column R2. In this embodiment, as indicated by reference numeral 18A in the figure, information about the inclination of each of the specific locations 40 can be obtained. More specifically, in this embodiment, the sub-scanning direction component is obtained as information about the inclination of each of the specific locations 40.

[0137] In this embodiment, the CPU 111 uses this sub-scanning direction component to determine the height of each portion (each specific location 40) that constitutes the surface of the object to be measured. Specifically, as indicated by code 18B, the CPU 111 recognizes that if the direction identified by the sub-scanning direction component for a particular location 40 is diagonally upward to the left, then the location of the next location 40 to this location 40 (hereinafter referred to as "the location to the right 40F") is higher than the location to the left 40E.

[0138] In this case, the CPU 111 determines the inclination angle of the left adjacent location 40E based on the sub-scanning direction component, and determines the specific height of the right adjacent location 40F based on this inclination angle. More specifically, the CPU 111 determines the inclination angle of the left adjacent location 40E based on the sub-scanning direction component, and based on this inclination angle, determines the height difference between the left adjacent location 40E and the right adjacent location 40F. Then, the CPU 111 adds this height difference to the height of the left adjacent location 40E to determine the specific height of the right adjacent location 40F.

[0139] The CPU 111 performs this process sequentially for each column R, starting from the leftmost specific location 40 in Figure 17 (the specific location 40 located at "Position 1") and moving to the right, to obtain the height information for each specific location 40. In other words, for each column R along the sub-scanning direction, the CPU 111 determines the height of each specific location 40, starting from the left end of each column R and moving to the right. More specifically, the CPU 111 performs integration processing based on information about the inclination of each specific location 40 in each column R, where specific locations 40 are arranged along the sub-scanning direction, and sequentially obtains information about the height of each specific location 40 included in each column.

[0140] More specifically, the CPU 111 uses, for example, the side edge 600 (see Figure 17) of the object to be measured as a height reference, and sets this reference height to, for example, 0. Then, the CPU 111 uses this 0 as a reference and obtains height information for each of the specific locations 40 that are aligned in a direction away from this reference, based on the sub-scanning direction component. Furthermore, the height reference is not limited to the side edge 600; the white reference plate 71 (see Figure 1) provided at the bottom of the guide member 68 may be used as the height reference, and information about the height may be obtained for each of the specific locations 40 arranged in a direction away from this reference, based on the sub-scanning direction component. When the reference plate 71 is used as the height reference, the height at the location where the reference plate 71 is installed is set to, for example, 0. Then, the height differences obtained for each of the specific locations 40 arranged in a direction away from this reference (height differences obtained based on the sub-scanning direction component) are sequentially added to this 0, and height information is obtained for each of the specific locations 40.

[0141] The example shown in Figure 18 illustrates the case where the heights of three specific locations 40, arranged to the right from the leftmost specific location 40, are determined within the first column R1 (see also Figure 17). Furthermore, the example shown in Figure 18 illustrates the case where the height of each of the three specific locations 40 in the second column R2 (see also Figure 17), which is the column adjacent to the first column R1 in the main scanning direction, is determined.

[0142] Subsequently, in this embodiment, the CPU 111 acquires information about the inclination of the surface of the portion located between two specific locations 40 (hereinafter referred to as the "inter-part portion 450") (see Figure 17) based on the heights of each of the two specific locations 40 that are adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction, as shown by reference numeral 19A in Figure 19 (a diagram illustrating the process performed when acquiring the main scanning direction component). In other words, the CPU 111 obtains information corresponding to the main scanning direction component for the inter-partition 450 located between two specific locations 40 that are adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction, based on the respective heights of these two specific locations 40.

[0143] More specifically, in order to obtain this information corresponding to the main scanning direction component, the CPU 111 first obtains the difference in height between these two specific locations 40 that are adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction, and the distance between these two specific locations 40 (the distance between them in a direction perpendicular to the height direction). The CPU 111 then obtains the value obtained by dividing this height difference by this separation distance as information corresponding to the main scanning direction component for the inter-partition 450. The CPU 111 also acquires information corresponding to the main scanning direction component (hereinafter simply referred to as the "main scanning direction component") for each of the inter-partitions 450 located elsewhere.

[0144] For example, if we assume that the portion indicated by reference numeral 17G in Figure 17 (an example of a specific portion) is a specific location 40 from which the main scanning direction component is to be acquired, the CPU 111 will grasp the main scanning direction component for the two inter-part portions 450 (two inter-part portions 450 indicated by reference numerals 17E and 17F) located on both sides of this specific location 40. The CPU 111 then calculates the average value of the identified main scanning direction components (two main scanning direction components) and obtains this average value as the main scanning direction component of the specific location 40 indicated by code 17G.

[0145] In this case, the average value of the main scanning direction component obtained for each of the two inter-partitions 450 was used as the main scanning direction component of the specific location 40 located between these two inter-partitions 450. However, the main scanning direction component of the specific location 40 is not limited to this average value. Alternatively, for example, one of the main scanning direction components of each of the two inter-part sections 450 described above may be associated with a specific location 40, and only this one main scanning direction component may be identified as the main scanning direction component of the specific location 40.

[0146] Thus, in this embodiment, the CPU 111 acquires information about the height of each part that constitutes the surface of the object to be measured and is arranged in one direction, and also acquires information about the height of each part for each row in which the parts are arranged in one direction. In this embodiment, the main scanning direction component for the specific location 40 indicated by reference numeral 17G is obtained based on information about the height of one portion included in one column and information about the height of other portions included in other columns.

[0147] Furthermore, the height of each of the specific locations 40 may be corrected using methods such as the least squares method to reduce the error in the height of each of the specific locations 40. Then, based on the corrected height of each of the specific locations 40, a new sub-scanning direction component and a new main scanning direction component may be obtained. In this embodiment, for each of the specific locations 40, a main scanning direction component is obtained as described above. In this case, using this main scanning direction component, the height for each of the specific locations 40 can be obtained for each row along the main scanning direction. As a result, in this embodiment, two heights can be obtained for the same specific location 40. Specifically, a height obtained based on the sub-scanning direction component and a height obtained based on the main scanning direction component can be obtained. In this embodiment, a calculation process is performed using the least squares method or the like to minimize the difference between these two heights, and for each specific location 40, the height of that specific location 40 when this difference is minimized is determined. Then, based on the height obtained for each specific location 40 (the height of the specific location 40 when the difference is minimized), a new secondary scanning direction component and a new primary scanning direction component are acquired. This results in more accurate normal angles obtained at every 40 specific points.

[0148] In addition, for example, information about the inclination of a specific location 40 at an intermediate position between two specific locations 40 that are separated from each other in the main scanning direction may be obtained based on information about the heights of each of these two specific locations 40. More specifically, in this case, we assume two specific locations 40 that are separated from each other in the main scanning direction, for example, as shown by reference numerals 17C and 17D in Figure 17.

[0149] In this case, a division operation is performed by dividing the difference in elevation between these two specific locations 40 by the distance between them, and the value obtained from this division may be used as information about the slope of a specific location 40 located between these two specific locations 40 (an example of an intermediate section), such as the specific location 40 indicated by the symbol 17G above. Furthermore, "a specific location 40 in an intermediate position" does not mean that a specific location 40 is located on the midpoint of the line segment connecting two specific locations 40, but rather that a specific location 40 is located between two specific locations 40. Even if a specific location 40 is not located on the midpoint, it still qualifies as "a specific location 40 in an intermediate position."

[0150] 〔others〕 The above primarily describes the process for obtaining tilt information. In this case, as described above, color information is removed by converting to grayscale or similar methods before obtaining the tilt information. In contrast, when acquiring color information of an object to be measured, for example, the reading unit 12 is moved while both the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18 are illuminated, and the object to be measured is read. In other words, when acquiring color information of the object being measured, a scan is performed to acquire color information by lighting both the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18, separately from the scan for acquiring tilt information.

[0151] More specifically, in the configuration shown in the first embodiment, the reading unit 12 is moved while both the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18 are lit, without illuminating the third light source 83 and the fourth light source 84, in order to acquire color information. Furthermore, in the configuration shown in the second embodiment, instead of performing the process of lighting up only some of the point light sources 98, the reading unit 12 is moved while all of the point light sources 98 included in the first point light source row 16 and the second point light source row 18 are lit up to acquire color information. Furthermore, in the configuration shown in the third embodiment, the reading unit 12 is moved to acquire color information while all of the point light sources 98 included in the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18 are lit.

[0152] When readings are performed with both the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18 illuminated, shadows that may occur on the object being measured can be suppressed, thereby reducing the decrease in reading accuracy caused by these shadows. The timing of the reading to obtain color information is not particularly restricted; it can be performed before or after the reading to obtain normal information.

[0153] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, four light sources were installed, and in the second embodiment, control was performed to illuminate only a portion of the light sources, thereby illuminating a specific location 40 from four directions. By the way, this is not the only option; for example, a light irradiation means capable of irradiating light from two directions may be rotated around a rotation axis perpendicular to the support surface 11D (see Figure 3) to irradiate a specific location 40 from four directions. Alternatively, for example, by moving a single light source around this axis of rotation, light may be irradiated onto a specific location 40 from four directions.

[0154] Furthermore, in the configuration example shown in Figure 7, two output values ​​were corrected when light was irradiated onto a specific location 40 from a third location 203 and a fourth location 204, whose positions in the main scanning direction are different from each other. However, the correction of the two output values ​​is not limited to this. For example, even when illuminating a specific location 40 with light from multiple locations whose positions in the sub-scanning direction are different from each other, the two resulting output values ​​may be corrected using the same method as described above.

[0155] More specifically, in some cases, the specific location 40 and the light-receiving element 32A may be arranged side by side in the sub-scanning direction. In this case, as described above, the angle between the specific location 40 and the light source will differ depending on their positional relationship, and the two resulting output values ​​may vary. Even when illuminating a specific location 40 with light from multiple locations that are at different positions in the sub-scanning direction, the accuracy of acquiring the sub-scanning direction component can be improved by correcting the two resulting output values.

[0156] Furthermore, if the specific location 40 and the light-receiving element 32A are arranged side by side in the sub-scanning direction, mirrors may be provided on one or both sides of the two light sources, which are arranged so that their positions in the sub-scanning direction are different from each other, similar to the configuration example shown in Figure 9. This allows light to be irradiated onto a specific location 40 from diagonally below over a wider area in the sub-scanning direction.

[0157] Furthermore, if the specific location 40 and the light-receiving element 32A are arranged side by side in the sub-scanning direction, then, similar to the configuration example shown in Figure 10, multiple light sources with different positions in the sub-scanning direction may be installed at one or both of the installation locations of the two light sources that are offset from each other in the sub-scanning direction.

[0158] In addition, as shown in Figure 20 (a diagram showing another configuration example of the reading unit 12), the reading unit 12 may also be provided with a third point light source array 20 in addition to the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18. This third point light source array 20 is located downstream of the specific location 40 in the direction of movement of the reading unit 12, and irradiates light toward the specific location 40 located upstream. Furthermore, the angle θ3 between the perpendicular line 70 and the optical path R13 of the light traveling from the third point light source row 20 to the specific location 40 is 5°. Note that this angle is not limited to this value and may be around 5° to 10°.

[0159] In the image reading device 1 equipped with this reading unit 12, the reading unit 12 is moved while the first point light source array 16 is lit, while the second point light source array 18 is lit, and also while the third point light source array 20 is lit. This allows the above fitting to be performed based on each of the five output values ​​corresponding to the five incident angles, including "+5°", thereby improving the accuracy of determining the normal angle.

[0160] In the above, fitting was performed based on each of the four output values ​​corresponding to the four incident angles: -180°, -45°, +45°, and +180°. However, if the third point light source array 20 is also lit, the above fitting can be performed based on each of the five output values, improving the accuracy of determining the normal angle.

[0161] Furthermore, by setting up light sources such that the angle they make with the perpendicular line 70 is small, as in the third point light source array 20, it is possible to obtain not only a normal map but also a specular map. Furthermore, by moving the reading unit 12 while both the first point light source array 16 and the second point light source array 18 are illuminated, it is also possible to acquire the albedo map. This makes it possible to acquire all components except for the semi-transparent parts, resulting in a complete device for generating texture maps. [Explanation of symbols]

[0162] 1…Image reading device, 11D…Support surface, 12…Reading unit, 12A…Light irradiation section, 16…First point light source array, 16A…First point light source, 18…Second point light source array, 18B…Second point light source, 32A…Photodetector, 40…Specific location, 83…Third light source, 83A…First additional light source, 84…Fourth light source, 84A…Second additional light source, 98A…First point light source, 98B…Second point light source, 98C…Third point light source, 98D…Fourth point light source, 111…CPU, 300…Reference member, M1…First mirror, M2…Second mirror

Claims

1. A light irradiation means for irradiating an object to be measured with light, A light receiving unit that receives reflected light from a specific point on the object to be measured and outputs an output corresponding to the intensity of the received reflected light, A processor that controls the light irradiation means and processes the output of the light receiving unit, It is an information processing device equipped with, The aforementioned processor, The light irradiation means is made to irradiate the specific location with light from multiple locations that are at different positions in one direction. The light irradiation means is made to irradiate the specific part of the object to be measured with light from multiple locations that are at different positions in a direction intersecting the one direction. Based on the output of the light receiving unit based on the reflected light from the specific location in response to light irradiation from multiple locations in one direction by the light irradiation means, and the output of the light receiving unit based on the reflected light from the specific location in response to light irradiation from multiple locations in a direction intersecting the one direction, information about the inclination of the specific location is obtained. Using a specific part of the object to be measured or a predetermined reference position outside the object to be measured as the height reference, height information, which is information about the height of each of the specified parts, is acquired. Using information about the height of one part of the specified location and information about the height of other parts of the specified location, information about the inclination of a specific part of the surface of the object to be measured is obtained based on the difference between the height of the one part and the height of the other parts, and the distance between the one part and the other parts. Information processing device.

2. The aforementioned processor, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, which acquires information about the inclination of at least one of the parts, the part, and the intermediate part located between the part and the other part, based on information about the height of the part and the height of the other part.

3. The aforementioned processor, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, which acquires information about the height of each of the parts that constitute the surface of an object to be measured, based on information about the inclination of each of the parts that constitute the surface of the object to be measured.

4. The aforementioned processor, Information is obtained about the height of each of the parts that constitute the surface of the object to be measured and are arranged in one direction, and information is also obtained about the height of each of the parts for each row in which the parts are arranged in that one direction. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, which acquires information about the inclination of at least one of the first part, the second part, and the intermediate part located between the first part and the second part, based on information about the height of a first part which is a part included in one column and information about the height of a second part which is a part included in another column.

5. A program executed by a computer provided in a measuring device comprising: a light irradiation means for irradiating light onto an object to be measured; a light receiving unit that receives reflected light from a specific location on the object to be measured and outputs according to the intensity of the received reflected light; and a computer that controls the light irradiation means and processes the output of the light receiving unit. The light irradiation means has a function to irradiate the specific location with light from multiple locations that are at different positions in one direction, The light irradiation means has a function to irradiate the specific part of the object to be measured with light from multiple locations that are at different positions in a direction intersecting the one direction, A function to acquire information about the inclination of the specific location based on the output of the light receiving unit based on the reflected light from the specific location in response to light irradiation from each of multiple locations in one direction by the light irradiation means, and the output of the light receiving unit based on the reflected light from the specific location in response to light irradiation from each of multiple locations in a direction intersecting the one direction. A function to acquire height information, which is information about the height of each of the specified parts of the object to be measured, using a predetermined reference position outside the object to be measured as the height reference, A function to acquire information about the inclination of a specific part of the surface of the object to be measured, using information about the height of one part of the specified location and information about the height of another part of the specified location, based on the difference between the height of the one part and the height of the other part and the distance between the one part and the other part, A program to make a computer realize this.

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