Patent ID: 7245784
Filing Date: 2007-07-17
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A control method for an image reading apparatus having a visible light source that emits visible light, an invisible light source that emits invisible light, an imaging optical system adapted to irradiate a document by these light sources to form optical images of the document, and a photoelectric converter adapted to photoelectrically convert the optical images of the document, comprising: turning on the visible light source and acquiring a visible light image signal by the photoelectric converter; turning off the visible light source after the visible light image is acquired and turning on the invisible light source to acquire an invisible light image signal by the photoelectric converter; turning off the invisible light source after the invisible light image signal is acquired and turning on the visible light source so as to wait for operation for acquiring the next visible light image signal; detecting a dust/scratch portion of the document from the invisible light image signal; and reducing a dust/scratch portion of the visible light image signal on the basis of the detected dust/scratch portion.