Patent ID: 6724949
Filing Date: 2004-04-20
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An image reading apparatus comprising:a reading apparatus for separating an image to be read into a plurality of pixels and reading the image as signals by photoelectrically converting incident light from each pixel of the image; determination device for determining suitable reading conditions for each pixel or for each of small areas comprising a plurality of the pixels, based on signals read by the reading apparatus; and a control apparatus for performing control so as to obtain signals identical to signals obtained when each pixel or each small area of the image is read under the reading conditions determined by the determination device; wherein the reading apparatus is able to change image reading conditions for each of the pixels and for each of the small areas, and wherein the control apparatus performs control such that the reading conditions determined by the determination device are set as the reading conditions for the reading apparatus, wherein the image reading apparatus further comprises a reading sensor for reading the image by photoelectrically converting incident light from the image for each pixel, and an incident light amount alteration apparatus capable of altering the amount of incident light on the reading sensor for each pixel or for each small area, wherein the control apparatus performs control such that the amount of incident light striking the reading sensor via the incident light amount alteration apparatus matches the reading conditions for each of the pixels or for each of the small areas.