JP4172437B2 - Image reading apparatus and printing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus and a printing apparatus.

An image reading apparatus that reads an image using a CCD sensor is known. In such an image reading apparatus, a control circuit that controls the CCD sensor to output image data and a main circuit that receives the image data output from the control circuit are provided. (See Patent Document 1)
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-187223

Usually, image data is composed of a plurality of pixel data respectively corresponding to each pixel of a pixel group arranged in a matrix. Since the image data is composed of a plurality of pixel data, when the control circuit outputs the image data to the main circuit, each pixel data is sequentially switched and output to the data signal line.
On the other hand, since it is necessary for the main circuit to capture the sequentially switched signal from the data signal line, a capture clock indicating the capture timing is output from the control circuit to the main circuit. The main circuit captures each pixel data at a timing according to the capture clock.

By the way, each pixel data is composed of R data, G data, and B data. For this reason, when the control circuit outputs image data to the main circuit, R data, G data, and B data of each pixel are sequentially switched and output to the data signal line. In this case, the main circuit needs to identify which color the captured signal indicates.
An object of the present invention is to enable a main circuit to capture R data, G data, and B data of each pixel with a simple configuration.

  A main invention for solving the above problems is a CCD sensor that detects color information in units of pixels, and operates with a predetermined clock, controls the CCD sensor, and controls each of the pixels based on the detection result of the CCD sensor. A control circuit that sequentially switches R data, G data, and B data according to the clock and outputs the data to the data signal line, and outputs a capture clock synchronized with the switching timing of the R data, G data, and B data to the clock signal line. And the R circuit, the G data, and the B data of each pixel from the data signal line at a timing corresponding to the clock for taking in the clock signal line. A main circuit for capturing, and the control circuit outputs a period of the R data, G data, and B data for one pixel. An instruction signal is output to the data signal line, and the main circuit captures the R data, G data, and B data of each pixel at a timing according to the instruction signal and the capture clock. Features.

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

=== Summary of disclosure ===
At least the following matters will become clear from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

A CCD sensor for detecting color information in units of pixels;
Operates with a predetermined clock, controls the CCD sensor, and sequentially switches R data, G data, and B data of each pixel according to the clock based on the detection result of the CCD sensor, and outputs to the data signal line, A control circuit that outputs to the clock signal line a capture clock that is synchronized with the switching timing of R data, G data, and B data;
The main circuit operates with a clock different from that of the control circuit, and captures the R data, G data, and B data of each pixel from the data signal line at a timing corresponding to the capture clock of the clock signal line. Circuit,
With
The control circuit outputs an instruction signal indicating a period during which the R data, G data, and B data for one pixel are output to the data signal line,
The image reading apparatus, wherein the main circuit captures the R data, G data, and B data of each pixel at a timing corresponding to the instruction signal and the capture clock.
According to such an image reading apparatus, the main circuit can take in R data, G data, and B data of each pixel with a simple configuration.

  In this image reading apparatus, the control circuit operates with a frequency-modulated clock, and the R data, G data, and B data and the capture clock are in accordance with the frequency-modulated clock. It is desirable to output from the control circuit to the main circuit. Thereby, electromagnetic wave noise can be suppressed.

  The image reading apparatus may further include an oscillator that generates a reference clock and a clock generator that generates the frequency-modulated clock according to the reference clock, and the oscillator and the clock generator may include the control. It is desirable to be provided on the same substrate as the circuit. This eliminates the need for a signal line for sending the reference clock to the control circuit.

  The image reading apparatus may further include a clock generator that generates the frequency-modulated clock according to a reference clock, and the clock generator is provided on the same substrate as the control circuit. It is desirable to transmit from the main circuit to the control circuit. Thereby, the number of oscillators can be omitted and the cost can be reduced.

  In this image reading apparatus, it is preferable that the capture clock is output after the output of the instruction signal is stopped until the R data, G data, and B data are output. Thereby, the main circuit can continue to recognize one pixel section.

  In this image reading apparatus, a phase alignment signal is output from the main circuit to the control circuit, and the instruction signal and the capture clock are output from the control circuit to the main circuit in accordance with the phase alignment signal. The capture clock is output from the control circuit to the main circuit until the R data, G data, and B data are output after the output of the instruction signal is stopped, and the phase matching signal Accordingly, it is preferable that the control of the CCD sensor is started and the R data, G data, and B data are output from the control circuit to the main circuit. Thereby, the main circuit can recognize at which timing image data indicating which color is transmitted.

A CCD sensor for detecting color information in units of pixels;
Operates with a predetermined clock, controls the CCD sensor, and sequentially switches R data, G data, and B data of each pixel according to the clock based on the detection result of the CCD sensor, and outputs to the data signal line, A control circuit that outputs to the clock signal line a capture clock that is synchronized with the switching timing of R data, G data, and B data;
The main circuit operates with a clock different from that of the control circuit, and captures the R data, G data, and B data of each pixel from the data signal line at a timing corresponding to the capture clock of the clock signal line. Circuit,
A printing unit that prints an image detected by the CCD sensor on a medium based on the R data, G data, and B data captured by the main circuit;
With
The control circuit outputs an instruction signal indicating a period during which the R data, G data, and B data for one pixel are output to the data signal line,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main circuit captures the R data, G data, and B data of each pixel at a timing according to the instruction signal and the capture clock.
According to such a printing apparatus, the main circuit can take in R data, G data, and B data of each pixel with a simple configuration.

=== Configuration of Printing System ===
FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the SPC multifunction apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the configuration of the SPC multifunction apparatus. The SPC multifunction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment prints an image input by a scanner function for reading an image from a document, a printer function for printing an image on paper based on print data from an external computer, and an image input by the scanner function. This is a composite apparatus having a copy function.

  The SPC multifunction apparatus 1 includes a printer unit 10, a scanner unit 30, a panel unit 60, and a controller 70. The main components of the printer unit 10 are provided in the lower part of the SPC multifunction apparatus 1. The scanner unit 30 is provided above the printer unit 10. The panel unit 60 is provided on the front surface of the SPC multifunction apparatus 1 so that the user can easily operate it.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the printer unit 10 in the SPC multifunction apparatus 1. The printer unit 10 includes a transport unit (not shown) that transports paper, and a carriage 16 that moves a head that ejects ink. The transport operation by the transport unit and a dot formation operation that ejects ink from the moving head. By alternately repeating the above, printing is performed on paper by a so-called inkjet method. A transport unit (not shown) feeds the paper set in the paper feeding unit 12 on the back surface of the SPC multifunction device 1 and ejects the printed paper to the paper ejection unit 14 on the front surface of the SPC multifunction device 1. When the scanner unit 30 provided at the top of the SPC multifunction apparatus 1 is lifted, the carriage 16 of the printer unit 10 is exposed, and the ink cartridge 162 mounted on the carriage can be replaced.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the scanner unit 30 in the SPC multifunction apparatus 1. The scanner unit 30 includes an upper lid 31 and a placement glass 32. If the upper cover 31 is closed when the document 5 is placed on the placement glass 32, the document 5 is pressed against the placement glass 32 to flatten the document 5, and the document 5 is set on the scanner unit 30. The main configuration of the scanner unit 30 will be described later.

  The panel unit 60 has a liquid crystal display and various buttons. The user can input information to the SPC multifunction apparatus 1 by pressing various buttons. For example, when the user presses the copy button on the panel unit 60, the SPC multifunction apparatus 1 can be made to copy.

  The controller 70 includes an interface unit 71, a CPU 72, a CPU memory 73, an ASIC 74, an ASIC memory 75, and a clock 76. The interface unit 71 transmits and receives data to and from the external computer 3. The CPU 72 is an arithmetic processing unit that performs various arithmetic processes. The CPU memory 73 provides a calculation area for the CPU 72 or stores a program. The ASIC 74 is a circuit for performing specific processing. The specific processing performed by the ASIC 74 will be apparent from the following description. The ASIC memory 75 provides a calculation area for the ASIC 74. The clock 76 transmits a clock signal for driving the ASIC.

<About the printer function>
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the flow of data during the printer function.
A printer driver for the SPC multifunction apparatus 1 is installed in the computer 3 in advance. Then, the printer driver causes the computer 3 to convert the image data created by the application software into print data. This print data includes command data and pixel data. The command data is data for controlling the printer unit of the SPC multifunction apparatus 1. The pixel data is data related to the presence / absence, color, and gradation of the dots constituting the print image. Then, the printer driver causes the computer to transmit print data to the SPC multifunction apparatus 1.
The ASIC 74 separates the print data sent from the computer 3 into command data and pixel data, and buffers the data in the ASIC memory 75. The ASIC 74 controls the printer unit 10 based on the received command data, and performs printing by ejecting ink from the head based on the pixel data. Thus, the SPC multifunction apparatus functions as a printer that prints an image on paper based on print data from an external computer.

<About the scanner function>
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the flow of data during the scanner function.
A scanner driver for the SPC multifunction apparatus 1 is installed in the computer 3 in advance. In addition, the user sets the document 5 on the scanner unit 30 in advance. Then, the user sets the scanner driver on the computer 3 and sets, for example, the reading resolution, black and white / color, and reading range.
When the user instructs to start scanning with the scanner driver on the computer, the scanner driver causes the computer 3 to transmit control data corresponding to the setting contents of the user to the SPC multifunction apparatus 1.
The ASIC 74 controls the scanner unit 30 based on the received control data, and acquires the image data of the document 5 from the scanner unit 30. Then, the ASIC 74 transmits the acquired image data to the computer 3. As a result, the SPC multifunction apparatus 1 functions as a scanner that reads an image of the document 5.

<About copy function>
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the data flow during the copy function.
The user sets the document 5 on the scanner unit 30 in advance. Then, the user operates the panel unit 60 to set the paper size, document size, magnification, copy mode (fast / clean), and the like.
When the user presses the copy button on the panel unit 60, a start signal indicating the start of printing is sent from the panel unit 60 to the ASIC 74. The ASIC 74 controls the scanner unit 30 based on the control data corresponding to the user's setting contents, and acquires the image data of the document 5 from the scanner unit 30. The ASIC 74 buffers the image data from the scanner unit 30 in the ASIC memory 75.

  The image data from the scanner unit 30 is, for example, 256 gradation RGB (red, green, blue) data. The ASIC 74 converts this data into 256-tone CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) data (color conversion). A color conversion table necessary for color conversion is stored in the ASIC memory 75. Next, the ASIC 74 converts 256-level CMYK data into 2-level CMYK data (halftone processing). The two-tone CMYK data constitutes print data pixel data. A dot generation rate table for converting 256 gradation data into two gradation data is also stored in the ASIC memory 75.

When enlarging / reducing the image data from the scanner, the CPU 72 processes the image data in the ASIC memory 75, and the ASIC 74 performs color conversion processing and halftone processing based on the processed image data.
The image data is converted into print data by the ASIC 74, and the SPC multifunction apparatus 1 performs printing by controlling the printer unit 10 based on the print data. Thereby, the SPC multifunction apparatus functions as a copier.

=== Configuration of Scanner Unit 30 ===
<Overall Configuration of Scanner Unit 30>
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the scanner unit 30. The scanner unit 30 further includes a reading carriage 33, a drive unit 34, and a sensor unit 40 in addition to the upper lid 31 and the placement glass 32.
The reading carriage 33 can be moved in the moving direction by a guide 331. A sensor unit 40 is accommodated in the reading carriage 33.
The drive unit 34 includes a drive motor 341, a pulley 342, and a timing belt 343. When the drive motor 341 is driven, the pulley 342 is rotated and the timing belt is also rotated. A part of the timing belt is joined to the reading carriage 33, and when the timing belt 343 rotates, the reading carriage 33 moves in the moving direction along the guide 331.
The sensor unit 40 includes a light source 41, a lens 42, a mirror 43, and a CCD sensor 44. The light source 41 irradiates the document 5 with light. The lens 42 images the reflected light from the document 5 on the CCD sensor 44. The mirror 43 is used to lengthen the optical path so that the lens 42 can form an image of the reflected light from the document 5 on the CCD sensor 44. The CCD sensor 44 outputs a signal corresponding to the received light.

  The sensor unit 40 reads an image of a line-shaped region that is long in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of the document 5. By moving the sensor unit 40 in the moving direction by the reading carriage 33, the scanner unit 30 can read the entire image of the document 5.

<Configuration of CCD sensor>
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the CCD sensor 44.
The CCD sensor 44 includes three linear sensors 441r, 441g, and 441b in which light receiving elements (for example, photodiodes) that convert light into electric signals are arranged in a line, and these three linear sensors 441r, 441g, and 441b. Are arranged parallel to the direction perpendicular to the moving direction. Different linear filters are provided for each linear sensor 441, and each linear sensor 441 detects light of a different color. For example, the R linear sensor 441r includes a red filter and detects the intensity of red light. The following description will focus on the R linear sensor 441r that detects red light, but the same applies to the G linear sensor 441g that detects green light and the B linear sensor 441b that detects blue light.

  Each light receiving element of the linear sensor 441r receives light in one pixel section and accumulates electric charges. When the shift signal SH is input to the linear sensor 441r, the charge of the light receiving element corresponding to the even pixel is transferred to the even pixel transfer unit 442r, and the charge of the light receiving element corresponding to the odd pixel is transferred to the odd pixel transfer unit 443r. Transferred. When a drive pulse is input to the even-pixel transfer unit 442r, the even-pixel transfer unit 442r, which is a shift register, horizontally transfers the charge, and the transferred charge is voltage-converted by the amplifier 444r, so that the voltage signal Vre is Is output. Similarly, when a drive pulse is input to the odd-pixel transfer unit 443r, the odd-pixel transfer unit 443r, which is a shift register, horizontally transfers charges, and the transferred charges are voltage-converted by the amplifier 445r, and the voltage signal Vro Is output.

The voltage signal (analog signal) output from the CCD sensor 44 is analog / digital converted by the A / D conversion circuit 45 to become data (image data) indicating the RGB gradation of each pixel.
Note that the drive pulse input to the even-pixel transfer unit 442r and the odd-pixel transfer unit 443r is a high-frequency signal because horizontal transfer of the shift register needs to be performed at high speed.

  Incidentally, in the configuration of the CCD sensor 44 of FIG. 9, the number of analog outputs is six, but it goes without saying that the configuration may be such that the number of analog outputs is three.

=== Reference Example ===
<About the first reference example>
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the first reference example.
The scanner unit 30 includes a CCD substrate 50. The CCD substrate 50 is provided with a control circuit 51 that controls the CCD sensor 44 and the drive motor 341. Since the CCD substrate 50 is a substrate different from the ASIC 74, a signal line for transmitting and receiving signals between the CCD substrate 50 and the ASIC 74 is provided. In the figure, a clock signal line for transmitting and receiving a clock signal and a data signal line for transmitting and receiving image data are shown. Note that there is one clock signal line for the clock signal and eight data signal lines for transmitting and receiving image data.

In the first reference example, a high-frequency clock signal for driving the CCD substrate and the CCD sensor 44 is transmitted from the ASIC 74 to the CCD substrate 50. In this configuration, strong electromagnetic noise at the clock signal and frequency is generated around the clock signal line between the ASIC 74 and the CCD substrate 50.
In the first reference example, since the drive pulse input to the CCD sensor 44 has a high frequency, strong electromagnetic noise is generated around the CCD sensor 44 at the drive pulse frequency.

<About the second reference example>
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the second reference example.
In the second reference example, the CCD substrate 50 includes a PLL circuit 52. The PLL circuit 52 multiplies the reference clock signal transmitted from the ASIC 74 and outputs a high-frequency clock signal synchronized with the phase of the reference clock to the control circuit 51. In the second reference example, the frequency of the clock signal transmitted from the ASIC 74 to the CCD substrate 50 can be lowered.
However, since the drive pulse input to the CCD sensor 44 has a high frequency, in the second reference example, as in the first reference example, strong electromagnetic noise is generated around the CCD sensor 44 at the drive pulse frequency.

<About the third reference example>
In both the first reference example and the second reference example, electromagnetic noise having a specific frequency is generated around the CCD sensor 44. However, when such electromagnetic noise is generated, the EMI standard regulated in each country cannot be satisfied.
As a countermeasure against such electromagnetic wave noise, a frequency modulation device called SSCG (Spread Spectrum Clock Generator) may be used. Since strong electromagnetic noise is generated by a high single frequency clock signal, the SSCG can modulate the clock signal so that the electromagnetic noise at a specific frequency does not increase.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the third reference example.
In the third reference example, the ASIC 47 is provided with an SSCG. In the third reference example, the reference clock transmitted from the ASIC 47 to the CCD substrate 50 is modulated. As a result, the drive pulse input to the CCD sensor 44 is also modulated, so that electromagnetic noise having a specific frequency does not increase around the CCD sensor 44.
However, if an attempt is made to multiply the clock signal to be modulated by the PLL circuit using the reference clock as a reference clock, the PLL circuit becomes unstable.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment described below, an SSCG is provided on the CCD substrate 50 side. However, with this configuration, the frequency of image data transmitted from the CCD substrate 50 to the ASIC 74 is also modulated, and the timing at which the ASIC 74 captures the image data becomes a problem. This point is also solved in this embodiment described below.

=== Configuration of the Scanner Unit 30 of the Present Embodiment ===
<About overview>
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of the scanner unit 30 according to the present embodiment. The CCD substrate 50 of the scanner unit 30 of this embodiment includes a control circuit 51, an oscillator 53, and a PLL circuit 54 having an SSCG function.
The control circuit 51 controls the CCD sensor 44 by transmitting a drive pulse, a shift signal SH (see FIG. 9) and the like to the CCD sensor 44. Although not shown in FIG. 13, the control circuit 51 also controls driving of the drive motor 341. Control by these control circuits 51 is performed based on control data transmitted from the ASIC 74 to the scanner unit 30.
The oscillator 53 generates a clock signal having a constant frequency. However, since the clock signal generated by the oscillator 53 has a relatively low frequency, electromagnetic noise is not a problem. The clock signal output from the oscillator 53 is input to the PLL circuit 54.
The PLL circuit 54 also has an SSCG function. That is, the PLL circuit 54 of the present embodiment multiplies the reference clock from the oscillator 53 and outputs the modulated clock signal to the control circuit 51.

  Accordingly, since the control circuit 51 is driven by the modulated clock signal, the drive pulse output from the control circuit 51 to the CCD sensor 44 is also modulated. As a result, even if the frequency of the drive pulse is high, the intensity of the specific frequency is low, so that electromagnetic noise generated around the CCD sensor 44 can be reduced.

  However, the voltage signal output from the CCD sensor 44 to the A / D conversion circuit and the image data output from the A / D conversion circuit to the control circuit 51 are also modulated. Since the control circuit 51 is driven by the modulated clock signal, the image data transmitted from the control circuit 51 to the ASIC 74 is also modulated.

  In this embodiment, since frequency modulation is performed on the CCD substrate 50 side, the ASIC 74 does not operate with a modulated clock. The ASIC 74 may also operate with a modulation clock different from that of the control circuit 51. For this reason, since the clock for driving the ASIC 74 is not synchronized with the clock for driving the control circuit 51, simply transmitting the image data to the ASIC 74 may cause a timing shift when the ASIC 74 captures the image data.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a capture clock signal is output from the control circuit 51 to the ASIC 74. This capture clock signal is a clock signal synchronized with the image data. In the present embodiment, the ASIC 74 captures the modulated image data based on the rising timing (or falling timing) of the capturing clock signal.

  By the way, R data, G data, and B data are sequentially switched and transmitted as image data. For this reason, the ASIC 74 needs to identify which color the captured data indicates. Therefore, in this embodiment, before the image data is output to the data signal line, the control circuit 51 outputs a pixel period instruction signal to the data signal line in order to make the ASIC 74 recognize one pixel period.

<Configuration of PLL Circuit 54 of the Present Embodiment>
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of the PLL circuit 54 having the SSCG function of the present embodiment.
Normally, the PLL circuit includes a 1 / M frequency divider 541, a phase comparator 542, a rope filter (LPF) 543, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) 544, and a 1 / N frequency divider 545. The 1 / M frequency divider 541 divides the reference clock from the oscillator 53 and sends it to the phase comparator 542. The phase comparator 542 compares the phases of two input signals and generates a pulse signal when the edges of the signals are different. The loop filter 543 blocks a high frequency component from the signal from the phase comparator and outputs a direct current signal with a small alternating current component. The voltage controlled oscillator 544 adjusts the transmission frequency by the input DC signal. The 1 / N frequency divider 545 divides the output signal of the voltage controlled oscillator 544 and sends it to the phase comparator 542. In the PLL circuit, if the phase of the output signal of the voltage controlled oscillator 544 is advanced, the oscillation frequency is lowered to delay the phase, and if the phase of the output signal of the voltage controlled oscillator 544 is delayed, the oscillation frequency is increased to advance the phase, The reference signal input from the 1 / N frequency divider and the output signal are synchronized. In this PLL circuit, a clock signal having a frequency N ÷ M times the reference clock can be obtained.

  In the PLL circuit 54 of this embodiment, a voltage adder 547 that adds the voltage from the analog modulator 546 is provided between the phase comparator 542 and the loop filter 543. Thereby, the clock signal output from the PLL circuit 54 is modulated. Specifically, the frequency is modulated in a range of ± 1.5%.

  In the present embodiment, a frequency-modulated clock is input from the PLL circuit 54 to the control circuit 51, and the control circuit 51 operates in accordance with the frequency-modulated clock. That is, the control circuit 51 outputs the shift signal SH and the drive pulse to the CCD sensor 44 in accordance with the frequency-modulated clock (see FIG. 9) to control the CCD sensor 44. At this time, since the drive pulse signal sent from the control circuit 51 to the CCD sensor 44 is also frequency-modulated, the peak of the intensity of electromagnetic wave noise of a specific frequency can be reduced around the CCD sensor.

<About importing image data 1>
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between the image data and the capture clock.
The image data is transmitted from the control circuit 51 to the ASIC 74 via eight data signal lines. The image data is transmitted after the R data, the G data, and the B data are sequentially switched. If a set of R data, G data, and B data is transmitted, image data (pixel data) for one pixel is transmitted. Since many pixels are arranged in a line in one line, R data, G data, and B data are repeatedly transmitted in order to transmit image data for one line. In the present embodiment, the frequency at which R data, G data, and B data are sequentially switched is modulated in a range of ± 1.5% by SSCG, although it is not clear from the figure.

  The capture clock signal is also modulated in the range of ± 1.5% by SSCG, although it is not clear from the figure. However, the capture clock signal is synchronized with the frequency at which the image data is switched. For this reason, it is guaranteed that any data (color data) of R data, G data, and B data is transmitted at the timing of the rising pulse of the capture clock signal.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of image data capture timing. For convenience of explanation, the time axis of FIG. 16 is expanded from the time axis of FIG. The lower ASIC side clock in FIG. 16 is a clock for operating the ASIC 74, and is a signal generated by the clock 76 in FIG. The acquisition clock is about 6 MHz (however, it is modulated about ± 1.5%), whereas the ASIC side clock is 96 MHz.

  The ASIC 74 monitors the signal level of the capture clock at the timing of the rising pulse of the ASIC side clock. Then, after the ASIC 74 detects that the signal level of the capture clock has changed from the L level to the H level, the ASIC 74 captures the image data at the timing of the next rising pulse of the ASIC side clock.

  Specifically, in the figure, the ASIC 74 detects that the signal level of the acquisition clock is L level in the rising pulse of the fifth ASIC side clock, and the next rising pulse of the sixth ASIC side clock. It is detected that the signal level of the capture clock at H level. Therefore, in the rising pulse of the seventh ASIC side clock, the ASIC 74 detects the signal level of the eight data signal lines for transmitting the image data, and captures the 8-bit information at this time as the image data.

  In the present embodiment, the control circuit 51 operates with the clock frequency-modulated by the PLL circuit 54, and the ASIC 74 operates with the clock from the clock 76 (ASIC side clock). Since the clock frequency-modulated by the PLL circuit 54 and the ASIC side clock are not synchronized, if image data is sequentially transmitted at the modulated frequency, the timing may be shifted when the ASIC 74 captures the image data.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a capture clock signal that is a reference for capture timing is transmitted from the control circuit 51 to the ASIC 74. Since the capture clock signal is output from the control circuit 51, the frequency is modulated, but is a signal synchronized with the image data. The ASIC 74 monitors the change in the signal level of the capture clock, and captures image data based on the change in the signal level. As a result, even if the operation clock of the ASIC 74 and the operation clock of the control circuit 51 are not synchronized, the ASIC 74 can take in the image data from the control circuit 51 without shifting the timing.

  By the way, R data, G data, and B data are sequentially switched and transmitted as image data. For this reason, the ASIC 74 needs to recognize which color the image data indicates when capturing the image data. For example, in FIG. 16, it is necessary for the ASIC 74 to recognize which color image data is transmitted at the rising edge of the seventh ASIC side clock.

  Therefore, when capturing image data for one line, a phase alignment signal is transmitted from the ASIC 74 to the control circuit 51, and a pixel interval instruction signal for indicating one pixel interval is sent from the control circuit 51 to the ASIC 74 in accordance with the phase alignment signal. Sent. This point will be described later.

<About importing image data 2>
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of another image data capture timing. When FIG. 17 and FIG. 16 are compared, the acquisition clock and the ASIC side clock are the same. Regarding image data, each image data in FIG. 16 is 8-bit information, but each image data in FIG. 17 is 16-bit information. For this reason, the image data in FIG. 16 is switched at the timing of the falling pulse of the acquisition clock, but the image data in FIG. 17 is switched at both the rising pulse and the falling pulse of the acquisition clock.

  The control circuit 51 transmits the upper 8 bits of 16-bit R data at the timing of the rising pulse of the capture clock. The ASIC 74 takes in the upper 8 bits of the R data after detecting that the signal level of the take-in clock has changed from the L level to the H level. Thereafter, the control circuit 51 transmits the lower 8 bits of the 16-bit R data at the timing of the falling pulse of the capture clock. The ASIC 74 captures the lower 8 bits of the R data after detecting that the signal level of the capture clock has changed from the H level to the L level. In this way, the ASIC 74 can capture 16-bit image data from the eight signal lines.

  However, in the following description, it is assumed that the image data is 16 bits. However, for simplification of the drawing, switching of the signal from the upper bit to the lower bit is not shown.

<Importing image data for one line>
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of signals transmitted / received between the ASIC 74 and the control circuit 51 (however, the signal SH is not a signal transmitted / received between the ASIC 74 and the control circuit 51, but from the control circuit 51 to the CCD). This is a signal transmitted to the sensor 44).

  Initially, the ASIC 74 and the control circuit 51 operate based on different clock signals. In such a state, a phase matching signal is transmitted from the ASIC 74 to the control circuit 51.

  The phase matching signal is transmitted from the ASIC 74 to the control circuit 51 through a signal line different from the eight signal lines that transmit image data and the signal line that transmits the capture clock. It is assumed that the phase matching signal is transmitted when the signal level of the phase matching signal is switched from L to H.

  The control circuit 51 operates based on an internal pixel clock. The control circuit 51 detects the phase matching signal at the timing of the rising pulse of the pixel clock. When the detected signal level is switched from L to H, the control circuit 51 resets a counter provided therein. Then, the control circuit 51 increments the counter value by one for each rising pulse of the pixel clock. Note that the period of one clock of the pixel clock corresponds to a period of three pulses of the capture clock. That is, one pixel clock indicates one pixel period.

  When the control circuit 51 detects that the signal level of the phase matching signal has been switched from L to H, the control circuit 51 transmits the pixel section instruction signal to the ASIC 74 using the eight signal lines for transmitting the image data. As shown in the figure, this pixel section instruction signal is “FF (all 16-bit data is 1)” → “00 (all 16-bit data is 0)” → “00” → “FF” → “00” → “00” The signal is switched at the timing synchronized with the capture clock in the order of “→”. The ASIC 74 can recognize one pixel section by receiving the pixel section instruction signal.

  Thereafter, the ASIC 74 switches the signal level of the phase matching signal from H to L. When the control circuit 51 detects that the signal level of the phase matching signal has been switched from L to H, the control circuit 51 stops transmitting the pixel section instruction signal. However, since the capture clock signal is continuously transmitted from the control circuit 51 to the ASIC 74, the ASIC 74 can continue to recognize one pixel section.

  The control circuit 51 controls the CCD sensor 44 with reference to the count value of the counter. For example, the control circuit 51 transmits the shift signal SH to the CCD sensor 44 when the count value becomes “2”. The count value “2” for transmitting the shift signal SH is a value set in advance in the register of the control circuit 51. For this reason, the control circuit 51 acquires valid image data from the CCD sensor 44 after a predetermined timing (in this case, a three-pixel period) after the counter is reset. Then, the control circuit 51 transmits valid image data to the ASIC 74 at a predetermined timing (immediately after the transmission of the pixel section instruction signal is stopped).

  The ASIC 74 captures the first image data of one pixel section as R data, captures the next image data as G data, and further captures the next image data as B data, thereby image data (pixel data) for one pixel. Capture. Further, the ASIC 74 captures the next image data of the B data as R data of the next pixel. Thus, since the ASIC 74 recognizes one pixel section based on the pixel section instruction signal and the capture clock, for example, at which timing R data is transmitted, or at which timing which pixel data is transmitted. You can see if it is being sent.

  After the ASIC 74 captures image data for one line, the ASIC 74 transmits a phase alignment signal at a predetermined timing in order to read the image of the next line. Note that the timing from the transmission of the phase matching signal to the transmission of the next phase matching signal varies depending on the accumulation time of the CCD sensor 44. This accumulation time varies depending on the reading resolution, the type of document, the brightness of the light source, and the like.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The above embodiments are mainly described for the SPC multifunction apparatus, but it goes without saying that the disclosure includes an image reading apparatus (scanner), an image reading method, and the like.

  Moreover, although the SPC multifunction apparatus and the like as one embodiment have been described, the above embodiment is for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and it is needless to say that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

=== Summary ===
(1) The aforementioned SPC multifunction apparatus includes a CCD sensor 44 that detects color information in units of pixels, a control circuit 51, and an ASIC 74 (main circuit). The control circuit 51 controls the CCD sensor 44, and sequentially switches R data, G data, and B data according to the modulation clock based on the detection result of the CCD sensor 44, and outputs it to the data signal line. The ASIC 74 takes in R data, G data, and B data of each pixel from the data signal line.

  If the configuration as in the first reference example of FIG. 10 is used, the ASIC 74 can synchronize with the operation of the control circuit 51, and thus can recognize the timing for taking in the signal output from the control circuit 51.

  However, in the present embodiment, the control circuit 51 operates with a frequency-modulated clock to prevent electromagnetic noise. On the other hand, the ASIC 74 operates with a clock different from that of the control circuit 51, and is not synchronized with the operation of the control circuit 51. As described above, when both the boards are operating with different clocks, the timing at which the ASIC 74 takes in the signal output from the control circuit 51 may be shifted.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control circuit 51 outputs a capture clock that is synchronized with the switching timing of R data, G data, and B data to the clock signal line. In the present embodiment, the ASIC 74 takes in the color data from the data signal line at a timing according to the take-in clock.
However, the ASIC 74 needs to identify which color the captured color data indicates. For example, when the ASIC 74 captures 8-bit data from the data signal line at the capture timing indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 16, it is necessary to identify whether the 8-bit data is R data or G data.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control circuit 51 outputs a pixel section instruction signal indicating a period during which R data, G data, and B data for one pixel are output to the data signal line. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, the control circuit 51 sets the acquisition clock in the order of “F” → “0” → “0” → “F” → “0” → “0” →. The synchronized pixel section instruction signal is output to the data signal line. In this embodiment, since the ASIC 74 can recognize one pixel section by the pixel section instruction signal, the first data of one pixel section is fetched as R data, the next data is fetched as G data, and the next data is further imported. It can be imported as B data. Further, the ASIC 74 can capture the next data of the B data as the R data of the next pixel.

  Since the pixel section instruction signal is output using the data signal line, the main circuit can capture R data, G data, and B data of each pixel with a simple configuration.

(2) In the above embodiment, the control circuit 51 operates with a frequency-modulated clock. Thereby, the intensity | strength of electromagnetic wave noise can be made low. However, as a result, the cycle at which R data, G data, and B data are switched is also modulated. However, in this embodiment, the capture clock that is synchronized with the switching timing of the R data, G data, and B data is also modulated. Therefore, if data is captured from the data signal line at a timing according to the capture clock, the timing is increased. Will not slip.

  In the above-described embodiment, the operation clock of the control circuit 51 is modulated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even if the operation clock of the control circuit 51 is not modulated, if the pixel section instruction signal is output from the control circuit 51 to the ASIC 74, the ASIC 74 can know when the R data comes. it can. However, in this case, electromagnetic noise is generated around the CCD sensor.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the oscillator 53 that generates the reference clock and the PLL circuit 54 that generates the clock frequency-modulated according to the reference clock are provided. In this embodiment, the oscillator 53 and the PLL circuit 54 are provided on the same CCD substrate 50 as the control circuit 51. This eliminates the need for a signal line for sending the reference clock to the control circuit 51.

(4) However, the oscillator 53 is not necessarily provided on the same substrate as the control circuit 51. For example, a low-frequency reference clock may be transmitted from the ASIC 74 to the control circuit 51, and the PLL circuit having the SSCG function of the control circuit 51 may multiply the reference clock while modulating it. In this case, a signal line for sending a reference clock from the ASIC 74 to the control circuit 51 is required, but the oscillator 53 can be omitted, so that the cost can be reduced.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, a pixel section instruction signal and R data, G data, and B data are output using the same data signal line. Therefore, the output of the image data (R data, G data, and B data) is after the output of the pixel section instruction signal is stopped. In the present embodiment, the capture clock continues to be output until the image data is output after the output of the pixel section instruction signal is stopped. As a result, the ASIC 74 can continue to recognize one pixel section, so that when the image data is output from the data signal line, it is possible to identify which color the data indicates.

(6) In the above-described embodiment, first, the ASIC 74 (main circuit) and the control circuit 51 operate based on different clock signals. In such a state, a phase matching signal is output from the ASIC 74 to the control circuit 51. When the phase adjustment signal is sent, the control circuit 51 outputs a pixel section instruction signal and a capture clock to the ASIC 74 and starts control of the CCD sensor. While the signal level of the phase matching signal is at the H level, the control circuit 51 outputs a pixel section instruction signal. Then, when the signal level of the phase alignment signal becomes L level, the output of the pixel section instruction signal is stopped. However, even if the output of the pixel section instruction signal is stopped, the control circuit 51 continues to output the capture clock signal. The control circuit 51 sequentially outputs R data, G data, and B data of each pixel as a detection result of the CCD sensor. Since the ASIC 74 recognizes at which timing image data indicating which color is transmitted, the R data, G data, and B data of each pixel can be captured.

(7) In the above-described embodiment, a printer unit that prints an image on paper based on the image data (R data, G data, and B data) captured by the ASIC 74 is provided. However, the printer unit 10 is not necessarily required and may be a single scanner.

It is a whole perspective view of the SPC compound device of this embodiment. It is a block diagram of a structure of a SPC compound apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the printer part in a SPC compound apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the scanner part in a SPC compound apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the flow of data at the time of a printer function. It is explanatory drawing of the flow of data at the time of a scanner function. It is explanatory drawing of the flow of data at the time of a copy function. It is explanatory drawing of a structure of a scanner part. It is explanatory drawing of a structure of a CCD sensor. It is explanatory drawing of the 1st reference example. It is explanatory drawing of the 2nd reference example. It is explanatory drawing of the 3rd reference example. It is explanatory drawing of a structure of the scanner part of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of a structure of the PLL circuit provided with the SSCG function of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the relationship between image data and a taking-in clock. It is explanatory drawing of the taking-in timing of image data. It is explanatory drawing of the taking-in timing of 16-bit image data. It is explanatory drawing of the signal transmitted / received between ASIC and a control circuit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 SPC compound apparatus, 3 computer, 5 manuscript 10 Printer part, 12 paper feed part, 14 paper discharge part, 16 carriage 30 scanner part, 31 upper cover, 32 mounting glass, 33 reading carriage,
34 drive unit,
40 sensor units, 41 light sources, 42 lenses, 43 mirrors,
44 CCD sensor,
45 A / D conversion circuit,
50 CCD substrate, 51 control circuit, 53 oscillator, 54 PLL circuit,
541 1 / M frequency divider, 542 phase comparator, 543 loop filter,
544 voltage controlled oscillator, 545 1 / N divider, 546 analog modulator,
547 voltage adder,
60 Panel section,
70 controller, 71 interface unit, 72 CPU,
73 CPU memory, 74 ASIC, 75 ASIC memory, 76 clocks

Claims (7)

A CCD sensor for detecting color information in units of pixels;
Operates with a predetermined clock, controls the CCD sensor, and sequentially switches R data, G data, and B data of each pixel according to the clock based on the detection result of the CCD sensor, and outputs to the data signal line, A control circuit that outputs to the clock signal line a capture clock that is synchronized with the switching timing of R data, G data, and B data;
The main circuit operates with a clock different from that of the control circuit, and captures the R data, G data, and B data of each pixel from the data signal line at a timing corresponding to the capture clock of the clock signal line. Circuit,
With
The control circuit outputs an instruction signal indicating a period during which the R data, G data, and B data for one pixel are output to the data signal line,
The main circuit is an image reading device that captures the R data, G data, and B data of each pixel at a timing according to the instruction signal and the capture clock ,
The capture clock is output after the output of the instruction signal is stopped until the R data, G data, and B data are output.
An image reading apparatus . A CCD sensor for detecting color information in units of pixels;
Operates with a predetermined clock, controls the CCD sensor, and sequentially switches R data, G data, and B data of each pixel according to the clock based on the detection result of the CCD sensor, and outputs to the data signal line, A control circuit that outputs to the clock signal line a capture clock that is synchronized with the switching timing of R data, G data, and B data;
The main circuit operates with a clock different from that of the control circuit, and captures the R data, G data, and B data of each pixel from the data signal line at a timing corresponding to the capture clock of the clock signal line. Circuit,
With
The control circuit outputs an instruction signal indicating a period during which the R data, G data, and B data for one pixel are output to the data signal line,
The main circuit is an image reading device that captures the R data, G data, and B data of each pixel at a timing according to the instruction signal and the capture clock ,
A phase matching signal is output from the main circuit to the control circuit,
In response to the phase matching signal, the instruction signal and the capture clock are output from the control circuit to the main circuit,
The output clock is output from the control circuit to the main circuit from when the output of the instruction signal is stopped until the R data, G data, and B data are output.
The control of the CCD sensor is started in response to the phase alignment signal, and the R data, G data, and B data are output from the control circuit to the main circuit.
An image reading apparatus. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
The control circuit operates with a frequency modulated clock;
The image reading apparatus, wherein the R data, G data, B data, and the capture clock are output from the control circuit to the main circuit in accordance with the frequency-modulated clock. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3 ,
An oscillator for generating a reference clock; and a clock generator for generating the frequency-modulated clock according to the reference clock;
The image reading apparatus, wherein the oscillator and the clock generator are provided on the same substrate as the control circuit. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3 ,
A clock generator for generating the frequency-modulated clock according to a reference clock;
The clock generator is provided on the same substrate as the control circuit,
The image reading apparatus, wherein the reference clock is transmitted from the main circuit to the control circuit. A CCD sensor for detecting color information in units of pixels;
Operates with a predetermined clock, controls the CCD sensor, and sequentially switches R data, G data, and B data of each pixel according to the clock based on the detection result of the CCD sensor, and outputs to the data signal line, A control circuit that outputs to the clock signal line a capture clock that is synchronized with the switching timing of R data, G data, and B data;
The main circuit operates with a clock different from that of the control circuit, and captures the R data, G data, and B data of each pixel from the data signal line at a timing corresponding to the capture clock of the clock signal line. Circuit,
A printing unit that prints an image detected by the CCD sensor on a medium based on the R data, G data, and B data captured by the main circuit;
With
The control circuit outputs an instruction signal indicating a period during which the R data, G data, and B data for one pixel are output to the data signal line,
Said main circuit, at the corresponding to the instruction signal and the take-in clock timing in a printing device incorporating the R data of each pixel, G data and B data, respectively,
The capture clock is output after the output of the instruction signal is stopped until the R data, G data, and B data are output.
A printing apparatus characterized by that . A CCD sensor for detecting color information in units of pixels;
Operates with a predetermined clock, controls the CCD sensor, and sequentially switches R data, G data, and B data of each pixel according to the clock based on the detection result of the CCD sensor, and outputs to the data signal line, A control circuit that outputs to the clock signal line a capture clock that is synchronized with the switching timing of R data, G data, and B data;
The main circuit operates with a clock different from that of the control circuit, and captures the R data, G data, and B data of each pixel from the data signal line at a timing corresponding to the capture clock of the clock signal line. Circuit,
A printing unit that prints an image detected by the CCD sensor on a medium based on the R data, G data, and B data captured by the main circuit;
With
The control circuit outputs an instruction signal indicating a period during which the R data, G data, and B data for one pixel are output to the data signal line,
The main circuit is a printing apparatus that captures the R data, G data, and B data of each pixel at a timing according to the instruction signal and the capture clock ,
A phase matching signal is output from the main circuit to the control circuit,
In response to the phase matching signal, the instruction signal and the capture clock are output from the control circuit to the main circuit,
The output clock is output from the control circuit to the main circuit from when the output of the instruction signal is stopped until the R data, G data, and B data are output.
The control of the CCD sensor is started in response to the phase alignment signal, and the R data, G data, and B data are output from the control circuit to the main circuit.
A printing apparatus characterized by that.

Images