Patent ID: 7298403
Filing Date: 2007-11-20
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An IC chip for reading an image, comprising: a plurality of image reading photoelectric conversion elements divided into a plurality of groups; a read selection circuit for sequentially selecting the plurality of image reading photoelectric conversion elements and reading a photoelectric conversion signal from the selected image reading photoelectric conversion element; a plurality of signal output lines by way of which the photoelectric conversion signal is transmitted, each of the plurality of signal output lines being independently provided from each other and corresponding to each of the plurality of groups; an output circuit; a signal output line switching circuit connected between the plurality of signal output lines and the output circuit for sequentially selecting among the plurality of signal output lines to lead the photoelectric conversion signal transmitted through the selected signal output line to the output circuit; a logic circuit for controlling the signal output line switching circuit to switch from a signal output line currently selected to a signal output line corresponding to the next group after a last photoelectric conversion signal in the currently selected group has been read but before a first photoelectric conversion signal in the next group is read; and an initialization selection circuit for sequentially selecting the plurality of image reading photoelectric conversion elements and initializing the selected image reading photoelectric conversion element, wherein the read selection circuit reads the photoelectric conversion signal from the selected image reading photoelectric conversion element during one period of a clock signal, and wherein the initialization selection circuit initializes the selected image reading photoelectric conversion element during a last half of said one period and during a first half of a next period of the clock signal.