Patent ID: 7847988
Filing Date: 2010-12-07
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An image reading apparatus comprising: a visible light source configured to emit visible light; an infrared light source configured to emit infrared light which is separate from the visible light source; a single read unit comprising at least three one-dimensional photoelectric conversion elements extending along a main scanning direction and having respective different spectral sensitivity characteristics; an imaging optical system configured to form an image of image information from an original irradiated by the visible and infrared light sources on the read unit; and a control unit configured to repeat performing a first operation of obtaining visible-light image information of the original while turning on the visible light source with the infrared light source turned off and a second operation of obtaining infrared-light image information of the original while turning on the infrared light source with the visible light source turned off, at every reading in the main scanning direction and changing relative positions of the imaging optical system and the original by one step in a sub scanning direction, wherein each of the at least three one-dimensional photoelectric conversion elements has spectral sensitivity characteristics for the visible light and the infrared light; wherein the first operation and the second operation is performed in separate timings.