Image reading apparatus and image reading method

• US 6,891,645 B1
• Filed: 08/28/2000
• Issued: 05/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Nakamura, Yoichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Kimberly
• Assistant Examiner(s): Worku, Negussie
• Application Number:
  US09/648,811
• Time in Patent Office: 1,716 Days
• Field of Search: 358/474, 358/505, 358/506, 358/514, 358/516, 358/448, 358/475, 358/509, 355/67, 355/61, 382/275, 382/255
• US Class Current: 358/474
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/03 with photodetectors arranged in a substantially linear array
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/1017 the main-scanning components remaining positionally invariant with respect to one another in the sub-scanning direction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/193 using electrically scanned linear arrays , e.g. linear CCD arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/02493 Additional optical elements not otherwise provided for, e.g. filters, polarising plates, masks or apertures
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0408 Scanning film strips or rolls
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0454 for increasing the scanning speed

Abstract

An image reading apparatus in which extended image reading time is prevented when high quality image data is obtained, which image data is corrected by invisible light such as infrared light which is transmitted through an original. In a CCD scanner, visible light emitted from a light source is irradiated onto a photographic film. Infrared light emitted from the light source is reduced by an IR light reducing filter to be irradiated onto the photographic film. Visible light which has been transmitted through the photographic film is irradiated on a linear CCD by a lens unit, and the infrared light is reflected by a dichroic mirror to be irradiated on the linear CCD. Accordingly, the reading of invisible light can be effected at the same time that the reading of visible light is effected. It is therefore possible to prevent image reading time from becoming long due to the time required for the receiving of invisible light.

Claims

1. An apparatus for reading an image comprising:

a light source, which when operated, emits visible light and invisible light towards an image disposed along an optical path followed by the light;

a first reading device disposed downstream from the image along the optical path, the first reading device having a visible light sensor which receives light and produces electronic data in accordance with received light in visible wavelengths, when operated;

a second reading device disposed downstream from the image along the optical path, the second reading device having an invisible light sensor which receives light and produces electronic data in accordance with received light in invisible wavelengths, when operated;

a controller electronically connected to the first reading device and the second reading device, and synchronizing electronic data from the first and second reading devices with one another; and

a correcting device electronically connected to the first and second reading devices, which receives data therefrom and corrects data from the first reading device based on data from the second reading device.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said controller controls said first reading device and said second reading device so that each produces electronic data simultaneously with one another.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said controller controls said first reading device and said second reading device so that the devices alternately produce electronic data with one another.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a deflecting device disposed downstream from the image along the optical path, and guiding visible light transmitted along the optical path to said first reading device, and invisible light to said second reading device.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a light reducing device disposed along the optical path, which reduces an amount of light emitted from said light source to no more than a predetermined level.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light source comprises:

a first light emitter which emits visible light when operated;

a second light emitter which emits invisible light when operated; and

a deflecting device disposed along the optical path upstream from the image, which substantially reflects one of visible light emitted from said first light source and invisible light emitted from said second light source to said image, and substantially transmits the other therethrough.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said controller controls such that said second light source emits invisible light only when said second reading device is being operated for receiving light and producing electronic data in accordance therewith.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a timing device which provides timing information for operation of said first reading device and said second reading device,

wherein said controller controls such that, on the basis of timing information received from said timing device, said first and second reading devices are operated.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said timing device provides timing information such that, at least, operation of said first and second reading devices commences substantially at the same time.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said timing device provides timing information such that, at least, operation of said first and second reading devices terminate at substantially the same time.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second reading device is disposed on the basis of axial chromatic aberration of invisible light such that a position on said image from which said first reading device receives at least some visible light, substantially coincides with a position on said image from which said second reading device receives at least some invisible light.

12. A method of reading an image comprising the steps of:

(a) disposing an image for exposure to light, when the light travels along an optical path;

(b) emitting visible light and invisible light along the optical path, upstream of the image, thereby exposing the image to visible light and invisible light;

(c) receiving visible light along the optical path, downstream of the image, and producing first electronic data in accordance with the received visible light;

(d) receiving invisible light along the optical path, downstream of the image, and producing second electronic data in accordance with the received invisible light;

(e) controlling the production of first and second electronic data, such that said first and second electronic data is correlated with one another; and

(f) correcting said first electronic data based on said second electronic data.

13. The image reading method according to claim 12, wherein in the step of controlling the production of first and second electronic data, the first and second electronic data is produced substantially simultaneously with one another.

14. The image reading method according to claim 12, wherein in the step of controlling the production of first and second electronic data, the first and second electronic data is alternately produced relative to one another.

15. The image reading method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of guiding visible light along the optical path, downstream of the image, to a first reading device, and guiding invisible light along the optical path, downstream of the image, to a second reading device.

16. The image reading method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of reducing an amount of invisible light to a predetermined range along the optical path, upstream of the image.

17. The image reading method according to claim 12, wherein the step of controlling the production of first and second electronic data, includes providing timing information, and the step of controlling the production of first and second electronic data is performed in accordance with the timing information to correlate first and second electronic data with one another.

18. The image reading method according to claim 17, wherein the step of controlling the production of first and second electronic data in accordance with the timing information, is performed to initiate the production of first and second electronic data at substantially the same time.

19. The image reading method according to claim 17, wherein the step of controlling the production of first and second electronic data in accordance with the timing information, is performed to terminate the production of first and second electronic data at substantially the same time.