Image sensing device and image reading apparatus using the same

Abstract: An image reading apparatus, having RGB photoreceptors comprising a CCD line sensor, reduces influence of color mixture due to intrapixel transfer in which electric charges from a photoreceptor are transferred via another photoreceptor. The RGB photoreceptors are provided close to each other in parallel, between CCD shift units corresponding to the photoreceptors. The electric charges generated at the G photoreceptor and the B photoreceptor are directly transferred to the CCD shift units. The electric charges generated at the R photoreceptor are transferred to the CCD shift units via the B photoreceptor. That is, the electric charges generated at a photoreceptor having a larger electric charge-generating characteristic are transferred via a photoreceptor having a smaller electric charge-generating characteristic. Further, a transfer direction in which the electric charges are transferred and a subscanning direction in which an original is conveyed upon reading by the photoreceptors are in the same direction. Thus the amount of color mixture can be reduced.

Description: Present invention relates to an image sensing device using e.g. a CCD sensor and an image reading apparatus using the image sensing device. Fig. 3 shows the construction of a conventional CCD linear image sensor 201 used in a conventional colour image reading apparatus. In Fig. 3, reference numerals 301 to 303 denote photoreceptors having R, G and B colour filters. The photoreceptors 301 to 303 have diodes for converting a light quantum into electric charges for each pixel. The electric charges generated by photoreception for a predetermined period are respectively transferred to CCD shift units 304, 306 and 308 for odd-numbered pixels and CCD shift units 305, 307 and 309 for even-numbered pixels. While the CCD shift units 301 to 303 perform photoreception for the next line and accumulating the received light quanta, the electric charges transferred to the CCD shift units 304 to 309 are sequentially shifted in a fixed direction within the shift units, and converted into electric signals by amplifiers 310 and to 316 and outputted. As shown in Fig. 3, in the conventional colour linear image sensor, the CCD shift units for shifting electric charges from the R, G and B photoreceptors in a fixed direction are provided between the R and G photoreceptors and between the G and B photoreceptors. For this arrangement, the spacing between the R and G photoreceptors and that between the G and B photoreceptors must be wide. In a case where signal processing such as masking calculation is performed on R, G and B signals read by this CCD sensor, corrections of difference among respective RGB reading positions are required. As spacing between the R and G photoreceptors and that between the G and B photoreceptors become wider, necessary memory capacity becomes large. Considering the above drawback, a recent proposal is a construction where the photoreceptors are not alternatively provided with the CCD shift units, but photoreceptors are provided, as a set of photoreceptors, between CCD shift units. In this arrangement, the spacing among the R, G and B photoreceptors can be smaller than that in a conventional CCD sensor, and memory capacity for correcting difference among respective RGB reading positions can be reduced. However, in this arrangement, at least one photoreceptor transfers electric charges to its corresponding CCD shift unit via another photoreceptor (pixel) that receives light of another colour. This is called "intrapixel transfer". In this case, while the electric charges pass through the relay photoreceptor, the photoreceptor is exposed to light. As a result, a slight amount of colour mixture occurs due to electric charges generated at the relay photoreceptor. EP-A-0281172 discloses an opto-electric transducer having a matrix portion in which each column consists of M cells and an output register portion in which rows are divided into cells. Electrical charges in the cells of the matrix portion are transferred to the corresponding cells of the output register via charge transfer means. US-5241377 discloses a compact imager including a plurality of photodiode arrays. An R transfer part is disposed adjacent to the R photodiode array, and a B transfer part is disposed adjacent to the G photodiode array and a G transfer part is disposed adjacent to the B transfer part. Electrical charges from the B photodiode array are transferred to the B transfer part via the G photodiode array. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided an image sensing device in accordance with claim 1. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an image reading apparatus in accordance with claim 17. An embodiment of the present invention provides an image sensing device where photoreceptor for one colour and shift unit for the same colour are provided close to each other. An embodiment of the present invention provides an image sensing device where photoreceptors are provided close to each other, and shift units are also provided close to each other, to reduce memory capacity for correcting a difference among reading positions of respective colours, and an image reading apparatus using the image sensing device. An embodiment of the present invention provides an image sensing device where a set of photoreceptors are provided between a plurality of shift units, to reduce colour mixture upon intrapixel transfer, i.e., transferring electric charges accumulated at a photoreceptor via another photoreceptor for another colour, to a minimum amount, and an image reading apparatus using the image sensing device. An embodiment of the present invention provides an image sensing device where a photoreceptor that transfers electric charges via another photoreceptor has a maximum electric charge-generating amount, while a photoreceptor that passes the electric charges has a minimum electric charge-generating amount, to reduce colour mixture amount, and an image reading apparatus using the image sensing device. An embodiment of the present invention provides an image sensing device which has a linear image sensor where photoreceptors are alternately arranged with shift units and which can reduce colour mixture amount, and an image reading apparatus using the image sensing device. An embodiment of the present invention provides an image sensing device which performs intrapixel transfer of electric charges accumulated at a photoreceptor via another photoreceptor for another colour, a transfer direction in which electric charges are transferred and a subscanning direction in which an image is scanned by a linear image sensor are in the same direction, so as to set image information positions where colour mixture occur close to each other, to suppress degradation of image quality by influence of colour mixture, and an image reading apparatus using the image sensing device. Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures thereof. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention by way of example only. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of a linear image sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a colour image reading apparatus using the linear image sensor of the first embodiment; Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the construction of a conventional linear image sensor; Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing connection between R photoreceptor and B photoreceptor, and corresponding CCD shift units, according to the first embodiment; Figs. 5A to 5E are graphs showing accumulation of electric charges and colour mixture in a case where a scanning direction and a transfer direction are opposite to each other; Figs. 6A to 6E are graphs showing accumulation of electric charges and colour mixture in a case where a scanning direction and a transfer direction correspond with each other; Fig. 7 is a graph showing spectral responsivity characteristics of the linear image sensor; Fig. 8 is a graph shoring energy distribution of light from a halogen lamp; Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing the construction of a linear image sensor according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing the construction of a color image data generator of an image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment. Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in accordance with the accompanying drawings. [A Colour Image Reading Apparatus] First, the construction of a colour image reading apparatus using a linear image sensor according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The colourimage reading apparatus irradiates an original 212 placed on a glass platen 211 using illumination light source 210 having a reflection shade 209, and converges reflected light from the original 212 on a photoreception surface of a CCD (colour linear image sensor) 201 via mirrors 208, 205, 206 and a lens 202, to form an image. In Fig. 2, the apparatus reads the entire image from the original 212 by moving a dotted-line portion 207 in a direction represented by a double-line arrow at a speed V, and moving a dotted-line portion 203 in a direction also represented by a double-line arrow at a speed V/2. [First Embodiment] Fig. 1 shows the construction of the linear image sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 1, reference numerals 101 to 103 denote photoreceptors having R, G and B colour filters. Each photoreceptor has diodes for converting a received light quantum into electric charges for each pixel. Different from the conventional linear image sensor as shown in Fig. 3, CCD shift units 104 to 109 are not alternately provided with the R, G and B photoreceptors 101 to 103, accordingly, the spacings among the photoreceptors 101 to 103 can be reduced. In Fig. 1, there is some spacing between the G photoreceptor 101 to the R photoreceptor 102 and between the R photoreceptor 102 to the B photoreceptor 103, however, these spacings may be reduced by providing the photoreceptor closer to each other till they come in contact with each other. Accordingly, in comparison with the conventional arrangement where the CCD shift units are alternately provided with the photoreceptors, the spacing among the photoreceptors can be smaller. This reduces memory requirement for correcting the difference amount between reading positions corresponding to the spacing between the photoreceptors. In the construction according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the photoreceptors 101 to 103 are provided between two sets of CCD shift units 104 and 105, and CCD shift units 106 to 109 in parallel in a subscanning direction. That is, the CCD shift units 104 and 105 for the G photoreceptor 101 are provided at an upper part in Fig. 1, and the CCD shift units 106 to 109 for the R photoreceptor 102 and the B photoreceptor 103 are provided at a lower part in Fig. 1. This arrangement can reduce the number of relay photoreceptors upon intrapixel transfer where electric charges accumulated at one photoreceptor are transferred via another photoreceptor for another colour. Further, in this construction, upon intrapixel transfer, the transfer direction in which electric charges are transferred and the subscanning direction in which an original image is scanned by the linear image sensor are in the same direction. In Fig. 1, electric charges accumulated at the R photoreceptor 102 are transferred to the CCD shift units 106 and 107 via the B photoreceptor 103. Then, the CCD shift units 106 and 107 shift the electric charges to amplifiers 112 and 113 which output R-ODD output and R-EVEN output. In this manner, the transfer direction in which electric charges are transferred and a subscanning direction in which an image is scanned on the linear image sensor coincide. Fig. 4 shows connection between the R photoreceptor 102 and the B photoreceptor 103, and corresponding CCD shift units 106 to 109. In Fig. 4, the parts corresponding to those in Fig. 1 have the same reference numerals and the explanations of these parts will be omitted. As shown in Fig. 4, upon intrapixel transfer, colour mixture due to transferring the electric charges via the relay photoreceptor for another colour, where a slight amount of electric charges are generated at the relay photoreceptor, can be reduced to a minimum amount. Upon this transfer, amount E of the finally outputted electric charges including colour mixture is expressed by the following equation: E = EM + ES × (TB/TA) EM: amount of electric charges accumulated at a photoreceptor before transferred via another photoreceptor; ES: amount of electric charges accumulated at another photoreceptor for another colour; TA: accumulation time; and TB: transfer time In the equation (1), [ES × (TB/TA)] is an amount of electric charges (colour mixture) occurred during transfer via the photoreceptor for another colour. A ratio α of the amount of colour-mixture electric charges with respect to the amount E of finally-outputted electric charges is: α = (TB/TA) × (ES/EM) As (TB/TA) is a constant determined by CCD characteristics and the like, in order to reduce the ratio α of the amount of electric charges as much as possible, ES must be set to be a small value, while EM must be set to be a large value. In this embodiment, upon intrapixel transfer, a photoreceptor (e.g., the R photoreceptor 102 in Fig. 1) that transfers electric charges has a larger electric charge-generating characteristic, while a relay photoreceptor (e.g., the B photoreceptor 103 in Fig. 1) that passes the electric charges has a smaller electric charge-generating characteristic. This lowers ratio α of the amount of electric charges as the cause of colour mixture with respect amount E of finally-outputted electric charges. Next, occurrence of colourmixture upon intrapixel transfer as shown in Fig. 1 will be described below based on the relation between image scanning direction and electric charge transfer direction. In Figs. 5A to 5E, image information 410 in Fig. 5A moves in a subscanning direction 401. At this time, the image information 410 is advanced in the subscanning direction 401 and images are formed on the photoreception surfaces of the photoreceptors 403 to 405. A main-scanning direction is perpendicular to the subscanning direction 401. Figs. 5C to 5E show an amount of electric charges at the respective photoreceptors when an edge portion 409 of the image information 410 moves along the subscanning direction 401. As the image information 410 passes over an R photoreceptor 404, electric charges represented by a hatched portion 407 are accumulated. Assuming that the transfer direction for transferring the electric charges via another photoreceptor is a direction 402 opposite to the direction 401, the electric charges accumulated at the R photoreceptor 404 are transferred via a G photoreceptor 403. Immediately after the accumulation of electric charges for a predetermined period at the R photoreceptor 404, the R photoreceptor 404 transfers the electric charges accumulated by the indicated hatched portion 407. At this time, the electric charges of colour mixture upon intrapixel transfer via the G photoreceptor 403 is a part of the electric charges as indicated by a hatched portion 406 in Fig. 5C. Regarding the electric charges accumulated at the R photoreceptor 404, the information of the hatched portion 406 corresponds to a hatched portion 408 in Fig. 5D. Accordingly, when the subscanning direction 401 and the transfer direction 402 are opposite to each other, the information of colour mixed in the information (electric charges) from the R photoreceptor 404 is shown as the hatched portion 406 in Fig. 5C, and the mixed information (406) corresponds to a position (hatched portion 408) delayed by time L1 from the hatched portion 407. Figs. 6A to 6E show a case where a subscanning direction 501 and a transfer direction 502 are in the same direction. The electric charges collected at an R photoreceptor 504 are accumulated for a predetermined period (hatched portion 507 in Fig. 6D) and transferred via a B photoreceptor 505. At this time, the electric charges of colour mixture occur, as represented by a hatched portion 506 in Fig. 6E. Regarding the electric charges accumulated at the R photoreceptor 504, the information of the hatched portion 506 corresponds to the hatched portion 508 in Fig. 6D. Accordingly, the information of colour mixture included in the information from the R photoreceptor 504 is positioned advanced by time L2 from the electric charges 507 accumulated at the R photoreceptor 504. It should be noted that the influence of colour mixture on image information depends on the distance between a photoreceptor that causes colour mixture and the photoreceptor that originated the image information. In case of drawing pattern in which the contrast radically changes in short change periods, it is apparent that as a photoreceptor that causes colour mixture is closer to an originator photoreceptor, the influence of colour mixture becomes smaller. Assuming that the width of a photoreceptor is A, and the pitch between photoreceptors in a subscanning direction is 2A, the position of image information to include colour mixture, due to the difference between the transfer direction and the subscanning direction is: L1 = 2.5A (subscanning direction and transfer direction are opposite to each other) L2 = 1.5A (subscanning direction and transfer direction are in the same direction) Preferably a subscanning direction in which an image is subscanned and a transfer direction in which electric charges are transferred via another photoreceptor are in the same direction. This construction where subscanning direction and transfer direction correspond with each other may be added to the construction where a photoreceptor that transfers electric charges has a larger electric charge-generating characteristic, while a photoreceptor that passes the electric charges of different colour has a smaller electric charge-generating characteristic. The spectral response characteristic of a linear image sensor with respect to incident light differs dependent on the semiconductor material, structure of photosensitive area, process of surface etc. However, most linear image sensors have a peak wavelength on the long wavelength side of a visible light spectrum. Fig. 7 shows the spectral responsive characteristic of a linear image sensor using silicon material. In Fig. 7, in a visible light area (about 380 nm - 700 nm wavelengths), the sensitivity on the short wavelength side is low. Usually, a halogen lamp is employed as a light source having spectral energy distribution as shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 8 shows the same visible light area (about 380 nm - 700 nm wavelengths), in which the light-emitting energy of the long wavelength side is high. In a case where an optical system scanning is constructed using a linear image sensor, generally, the quantity of electric charge-generating of a colour having a short wavelength characteristic is small. Accordingly, a photoreceptor for receiving the colour component having short wavelength is used as a relay photoreceptor that passes electric charges from another photoreceptor. That is, it is important that in consideration of spectral characteristics, this photoreceptor having a smaller electric charge-generating characteristic is a B (blue) photoreceptor. Also, the photoreceptor having a larger electric charge-generating characteristic that transfers electric charges via another photoreceptor is a G (green) or R (red) photoreceptor. [Second Embodiment] The construction of the image sensor of the present invention is not limited to that in Fig. 1. The image sensor may have a construction as shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 9 shows arrangement where a set of CCD shift units 604 to 609 are not provided between photoreceptors 601 to 603, but they are provided at one side. Note that the photoreceptors 601 to 603 and the CCD shift units 604 to 609 correspond to the photoreceptors 101 to 103 and the CCD shift units 104 to 109 in Fig. 1. Also in this embodiment, electric charges accumulated at each photoreceptor are transferred to the CCD shift units via another photoreceptor. As the CCD shift units 604 to 609 are provided as a set at one side in a subscanning direction, the photoreceptor that transfers electric charges via the other two photoreceptors is the R photoreceptor 601 having the larger electric charge-generating characteristic. The photoreceptor, closest to the CCD shift units 604 to 609, that passes electric charges from the other photoreceptors is the B photoreceptor 603 having the smaller electric charge-generating characteristic. Similar to the first embodiment, it is also possible to reduce the influence of colour mixture due to electric charges occurred at a photoreceptor used as a relay photoreceptor in intrapixel transfer by setting the transfer direction in which electric charges are transferred from a photoreceptor to a CCD shift unit and the subscanning direction in which an image is subscanned by the image sensor into the same direction. Fig. 10 shows the construction of an image data generator of an image reading apparatus using the linear image sensor of the first embodiment. In Fig. 10, numeral 801 denotes a B (blue)-signal input unit including the B photoreceptor 103 and the corresponding CCD shift units 108 and 109; 802, an R (red)-signal input unit including the R photoreceptor 102 and the corresponding CCD shift units 106 and 107; 803, a G (green)-signal input unit including the G photoreceptor 101 and the corresponding CCD shift units 104 and 105; 804 to 812, line buffers for storing pixel data (binary or multi-level data) corresponding to the number of reading pixels of the photoreceptors; and 814 to 816, A/D converters respectively for inputting an analog image signal from a corresponding color signal input unit and converting the signal into a digital signal. Similar to Fig. 1, as the spacing between the photoreceptors is "2A", when B image data read by the B photoreceptor of the B-signal input unit 801 is stored in the line buffer 808, R image data corresponding to the stored B image data is stored in the line buffer 811, further, G image data corresponding to the stored B image data is stored in the line buffer 812. The image data of the respective color components are simultaneously read out of the line buffers 808, 811 and 812, and colour image data for one line is generated by a colour-signal generator 813. Assuming that the A/D converters 814 to 816 are respectively 8-bit A/D converters, one pixel of the image data read by the optical scanning apparatus is represented by 24 bits. The number of line buffers can be reduced by reducing the pitch between the photoreceptors. Thus, the generated colour image data is outputted to an external device such as a computer connected to the image reading apparatus. Note that the signal-input units 801 to 803 may respectively comprise a combination of a photoreceptor and a corresponding CCD shift unit as shown in Fig. 9. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the arrangement where the CCD shift units as a set are provided at one side in the subscanning direction can reduce colour mixture of electric charges accumulated at a photoreceptor with electric charges caused at another photoreceptor for another colour, due to intrapixel transfer, to a minimum level. Further, upon transferring electric charges, a photoreceptor that passes electric charges has a smaller electric charge-generating characteristic, while a photoreceptor that transfers the electric charges has a larger electric charge-generating characteristic. This suppresses the amount of electric charges causing colour mixture. Further, according to the present embodiment, the arrangement, where a transfer direction in which electric charges accumulated at a photoreceptor are transferred and a subscanning direction in which an image is subscanned by the linear image sensor are in the same direction, shortens the distance between a photoreceptor that transfers accumulated electric charges and a photoreceptor that passes the electric charges to a CCD shift unit, thus reduces the influence of colour mixture upon intrapixel transfer. In the above embodiments, the image reading apparatus uses photosensors for R, G and B (three colours), however, the present invention is not limited to these photosensors, but is applicable to any image reading apparatus which uses photosensors for at least two colours. For example, if two photosensors are for red (R) and blue (B), two CCD shift units corresponding to these photosensors are both provided on the B photosensor side, so that electric charges from the R photosensor are transferred via the B photosensor to the CCD shift units. As described above, the arrangement, where photoreceptors are provided close to each other and shift units are also provided close to each other, reduces memory capacity for correcting the difference among reading positions for respective colours. Further, the arrangement, where photoreceptors are provided between a plurality of shift units, suppresses the amount of colour mixture caused by intrapixel transfer in which electric charges accumulated at one photoreceptor are transferred via another photoreceptor, to a minimum level. According to the present invention, the arrangement, where a photoreceptor that transfers electric charges is for a colour corresponding to a larger electric charge-generating characteristic while a photoreceptor that passes the electric charges is for a colour corresponding to a smaller electric charge-generating characteristic, lowers the rate of occurrence of colour mixture. As described above, according to the present invention, the image sensing device and the image reading apparatus using the image sensing device of the present invention, having arrangement, where a transfer direction in which electric charges are transferred and a subscanning direction in which an image is subscanned by the linear image sensor are in the same direction, therefore positions of colour mixture of respective colours are close to each other, reduces the amount of colour mixture caused by intrapixel transfer and suppresses the influence of the colour mixture on image quality. The present invention can be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus comprising a single device. Furthermore, the invention is applicable also to a case where the invention is embodied by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, a storage medium, storing a program according to the invention, constitutes the essential part of the invention. The system or apparatus installed with the program read from the medium realizes the functions according to the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims: An image sensing device (201), comprising: first and second photoreceptors (102, 103) having different sensitivities provided adjacent to each other in parallel; and first shift means (106-109) for receiving electric charges from said first and second photoreceptors (102, 103), said device being adapted to transfer electric charges from said first photoreceptor (102) via said second photoreceptor (103) to said first shift means (106-109), said second photoreceptor (103) being provided between said first shift means (106-109) and said first photoreceptor (102), characterised by: said second photoreceptor (103) having a sensitivity lower than that of said first photoreceptor (102) so that the colour mixture in the electric charges from the first photoreceptor (102) caused by electric charges from the second photoreceptor (103) when transferring the electric charges from the first photoreceptor (102) via the second photoreceptor (103) are thereby reduced. The image sensing device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second photoreceptors (102, 103) are each adapted to receive light signals corresponding to respective colours and to generate electric charges in accordance with intensities of the received light signals, and the electric charges from the first photoreceptor (102) corresponding to a predetermined colour are transferred to said first shift means (106-109) corresponding to the first photoreceptor (102) via the second photoreceptor (103). The image sensing device according to claim 2, wherein the first photoreceptor (102) is adapted to receive a light signal of a red or green colour component. The image sensing device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second photoreceptor (103) is adapted to receive a light signal of a colour having shorter wavelength than the first photoreceptor (102). The image sensing device according to claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein the first photoreceptor (102) is adapted to receive a light signal of a light corresponding to a larger electric charge-generating characteristic than the second photoreceptor (103). The image sensing device according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the second photoreceptor (103) is adapted to receive a light signal of blue colour component. The image sensing device according to any preceding claim, wherein said first and second photoreceptors (102, 103) each comprise a plurality of photoelectric converters arranged in parallel to each other. The image sensing device according to any of claims 1 to 6 further comprising: a third photoreceptor (101) having a different sensitivity for light to said first and second photoreceptors (102, 103) provided adjacent to said first photoreceptor in parallel; and second shift means (104, 105) for receiving electric charges from said third photoreceptor (101), wherein said first, second and third photoreceptors (101-103) are provided between said first and second shift means, said third photoreceptor (101) being provided between said second shift means (104, 105) and said first photoreceptor (102). The image sensing device according to any of claims 1 to 6 further comprising: a third photoreceptor (101) having a different sensitivity for light to said first and second photoreceptors (102, 103) provided adjacent to said first photoreceptor (103) in parallel; and a second shift means (104, 105) for receiving electric charges from said third photoreceptor (101) said device being adapted to transfer electric charges from said third photoreceptor (101) via said first and second photoreceptors (102, 103) to said second shift means (104, 105), wherein said first and second shift means (104-109) are provided at one side of said photoreceptors (101-103) parallel to said photoreceptors, said first and second photoreceptors (102, 103) being provided between said third photoreceptor (101) and said first and second shift means (104-109), said third photoreceptor (101) having a sensitivity for light larger than that of said first and second photoreceptors (102, 103) so that the colour mixture in the electric charges from the third photoreceptor (101) caused by electric charges from the first and second photoreceptors (102, 103) are thereby reduced. The image sensing device according to claim 9 wherein said third photoreceptor (101) is adapted to receive light signals corresponding to a respective colour and generate electric charges in accordance with the intensity of the received light signal. The image sensing device according to claim 10 wherein said third photoreceptor (101) is adapted to receive a light signal of a red colour component and wherein said first photoreceptor (102) is adapted to receive a light signal of a green colour component. The image sensing device according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the first photoreceptor (103) is adapted to receive a light signal of a colour having a shorter wavelength than the third photoreceptor (101). The image sensing device according to claim 10, 11 or 12 wherein the third photoreceptor (101) is adapted to receive a light signal of a light corresponding to a larger electric charge generating characteristic than the first photoreceptor (103). The image sensing device according to any of claims 8 to 14 wherein said first, second and third photoreceptors (101-103) each comprise a plurality of photoelectric converters arranged in parallel to each other. The image sensing device according to any preceding claim wherein said shift means (106-109; 104-109) have shift circuits for outputting even-numbered electric charges and shift circuits for outputting odd-numbered electric charges for each of said photoreceptors (102, 103; 101-103). The image sensing device according to any preceding wherein said photoreceptors (102, 103; 101-103) are adapted to receive light simultaneously with each other. An image reading apparatus comprising: an image sensing device (201) in accordance with any preceding claim, conveyance means (203, 207) for conveying said image sensing device (201) relative to an original image; and output means (813) for outputting original image data, based on the electric charges generated by said first and second photoreceptors and outputted from said shift means respectively corresponding to said photoreceptors. An image reading apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said output means (813) has a plurality of buffers for synchronizing the image signals from said photoreceptors (102, 103) with each other. An image reading apparatus in accordance with claim 17 or 18, wherein said image sensing device (201) and said conveyance means (203, 207) are arranged so that the direction in which the image sensing device is adapted to transfer electric charges from said first photoreceptor (102) via said second photoreceptor (103) to said shift means (106-109), and the direction said conveyance means (203, 207) is arranged to convey said image sensing device (201) relative to an original image, are the same.

Inventors: KAWAI TAKASHI, OHASHI KAZUHITO, SATO HIROSHI, KAWAI, TAKASHI, OHASHI, KAZUHITO, SATO, HIROSHI, KAWAI, TAKASHI, C/O CANON K.K., OHASHI, KAZUHITO, C/O CANON K.K., SATO, HIROSHI, C/O CANON K.K.
Applicants: CANON KK, CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1995
Main classification: H04N3
IPC codes: H04N9, H04N3