Image processing device and system

Abstract

In an image processing device, a white level reference value is obtained by allowing an CCD sensor to scan a white level standard sheet. The white level reference value is stored in SRAM which is resident in a scan cartridge. The white level reference value in the SRAM is modified when an original document is read through a clear sheet, to obtain a high-quality image.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An image processing device having a slidable carriage comprising a read cartridge that is mounted on the carriage during use, said cartridge comprising: 
 photoelectric converter means for optically reading an image from an original document and converting the image into an image signal; and    memory means for storing reference data that is used to correct the image signal output by the photoelectric converter means.    
     
     
         2 . An image processing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge further comprises a light source for illuminating the original document.  
     
     
         3 . An image processing device according to  claim 2 , wherein the cartridge further comprises optical means for guiding the light ray reflected off the original document illuminated by the light source, to the photoelectric converter means.  
     
     
         4 . An image processing device according to  claim 3 , wherein the cartridge further comprises amplifier means for amplifying the image signal output from the photoelectric converter means.  
     
     
         5 . An image processing device according to  claim 4 , wherein the cartridge further comprises A/D converter means for A/D converting the image signal from the photoelectric converter means into a digital signal.  
     
     
         6 . An image processing device according to  claim 5 , wherein the cartridge further comprises controller means for controlling the reference for the A/D converter means based on the reference data.  
     
     
         7 . An image processing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the reference data is white level reference data.  
     
     
         8 . An image processing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the reference data is offset data.  
     
     
         9 . An image processing system comprising: 
 a control device; and    an image processing device connected to and controlled by the control device, said image processing device having a slidable carriage, comprising a read cartridge that is mounted on the carriage during use, said cartridge comprising: 
 photoelectric converter means for optically reading an image from an original document and converting the image into an image signal, and  
 memory means for storing reference data that is used to correct the image signal output by the photoelectric converter means.  
   
     
     
         10 . An image processing system according to  claim 9 , wherein the cartridge further comprises a light source for illuminating the original document.  
     
     
         11 . An image processing system according to  claim 10 , wherein the cartridge further comprises optical means for guiding the light ray reflected off the original document illuminated by the light source, to the photoelectric converter means.  
     
     
         12 . An image processing system according to  claim 11 , wherein the cartridge further comprises amplifier means for amplifying the image signal output from the photoelectric converter means.  
     
     
         13 . An image processing system according to  claim 12 , wherein the cartridge further comprises A/D converter means for A/D converting the image signal from the photoelectric converter means into a digital signal.  
     
     
         14 . An image processing system according to  claim 13 , wherein the cartridge further comprises controller means for controlling the reference for the A/D converter means based on the reference data.  
     
     
         15 . An image processing system according to  claim 9 , wherein the control device modifies the reference data stored in the memory means.  
     
     
         16 . An image processing system according to  claim 15 , wherein the control device modifies the reference data based on the reading condition of the photoelectric converter means.  
     
     
         17 . An image processing system according to  claim 16  further comprises a holding member for holding the original document, wherein the control device modifies the reference data when the photoelectric converter means reads the original document held by the holding member.  
     
     
         18 . An image processing system according to  claim 16 , wherein the control device modifies the reference data based on an accumulation time of the photoelectric converter means.  
     
     
         19 . An image processing system according to  claim 16 , wherein the control device modifies the reference data based on a resolution of the photoelectric converter means.  
     
     
         20 . An image processing system according to  claim 9 , wherein the image processing device further comprises a print head cartridge.  
     
     
         21 . An image processing system according to  claim 20 , wherein one of the read cartridge and the print cartridge is selectively mounted on the carriage.  
     
     
         22 . An image processing system according to  claim 9 , wherein the reference data is white level reference data.  
     
     
         23 . An image processing system according to  claim 9 , wherein the reference data is offset data.