Patent ID: 6304683
Filing Date: 2001-10-16
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An image scanning apparatus for optically scanning images of a plurality of originals set on an original tray, said image scanning apparatus comprising:a light source which illuminates each of said originals;a lens which condenses light from said each original to condensed light;a linear image sensor which has a plurality of light-receiving elements arranged in a primary scanning direction to convert the condensed light into an electric signal;a scanning angle variation unit which varies a scanning angle of said linear image sensor;a primary scanning range setting unit which adjusts relative positions of said lens, said linear image sensor and said original tray in the primary scanning direction, so as to set a primary scanning range of said linear image sensor on said original tray;an original specification unit which specifies pieces of information representing a scanning resolution and a scanning range on said original tray with regard to each of said plurality of originals set on said original tray;a scanning conditions computation unit which computes scanning conditions with regard to each of said plurality of originals set on said original tray, based on the information specified by said original specification unit, the scanning conditions including the scanning angle of said linear image sensor and relative positions of said lens, said linear image sensor and said original tray in the primary scanning direction;a storage unit which stores the scanning conditions with regard to each of said originals;a scanning sequence specification unit which specifies a scanning sequence of said plurality of originals set on said original tray;a control unit which reads from said storage unit the scanning conditions with regard to each of said originals when the scanning of said each original specified by said scanning sequence specification unit is to be performed, and controls said scanning angle variation unit and said primary scanning range setting unit to change the scanning conditions; anda secondary-scan shifting unit which relatively shifts said original tray in a secondary-scanning direction, which is perpendicular to the primary scanning direction, while the scanning conditions changed by said control unit are kept.