Image reading apparatus for reading a bookform document placed on a document table in face-up state

• US 6,345,763 B1
• Filed: 12/28/1998
• Issued: 02/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Minolta Corporation Limited (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Minolta Corporation Limited (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Inventors: Moro, Fuminori, Matsuda, Shinya, Nagashima, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Michael G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Diane I.
• Application Number:
  US09/220,768
• Time in Patent Office: 1,142 Days
• Field of Search: 235/459, 235/454, 235/470, 235/456, 235/462.14, 250/208.1, 250/569.06, 250/569.08, 250/559.04, 250/559.05, 250/559.07, 250/216, 250/235, 250/234, 355/25, 355/75, 355/82, 399/362, 399/365, 399/377, 399/379, 399/370, 399/371, 399/372, 399/376, 358/471, 358/474, 358/488, 358/497
• US Class Current: 235/459
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00708 Size or dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00737 using the scanning elements as detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0075 Detecting a change in reflectivity
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/1013 with sub-scanning by translatory movement of at least a part of the main-scanning components H04N1/107 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/1021 using a lead screw or worm
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/1043 of a sensor array
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/193 using electrically scanned linear arrays , e.g. linear CCD arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0416 Performing a pre-scan
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0422 Media holders, covers, supports, backgrounds; Arrangements to facilitate placing of the medium H04N2201/0406 - H04N2201/0412, H04N2201/0434 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0434 specially adapted for scanning pages of a book

Abstract

An image reading apparatus which reads out a document, such as as a book, placed face-up and opened on a document table. The apparatus includes an image reading device for reading out the document image placed on the document table, a mirror for imaging the document upper side plane, a projecting device which projects marks onto the document and mirror, and an image processing unit. A document characterized portion imaged on the mirror is read out by the image reading device and the image processing unit rectifies image distortion of the read out document image based on the characterized portion.

Claims

1. An image reading method which reads out a document image of an opened, face-up book, comprising

a step of positioning the book on a document table;

a step of detecting the size of the book on the document table;

a step of projecting marks for positioning the book on the document table, the marks being projected in accordance with the detected size of the book;

a step of fitting the book with the marks; and

a step of reading out the document image of the opened, face-up book placed on the document table.

2. The image reading method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the marks are not projected at image reading.

3. An image reading apparatus which reads out a document image of a book placed open and face-up, comprising:

a document table upon which the book is placed opened and face-up;

an image reading device for reading out the document image of the book placed on the document table;

a mirror for imaging the upper side plane of the book on the document table;

means for detecting a size of the book; and

a projection device, responsive to the detected size of the book, for projecting a mark onto one of the document table and the mirror, the mark being used to position the book on the document table.

4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:

an image processing unit, responsive to the read out document image of the opened, face-up book and the imaged upper side plane of the book, for rectifying distortion in the read out document image of the book.

5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image reading device simultaneously reads out the document image of the opened, face-up book and the upper side plane of the book.

6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein projection of the mark is prohibited during reading out a document image by the image reading device.