Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising:a plurality of X-ray sources arranged two-dimensionally;an X-ray detector having a plurality of detecting elements two-dimensionally arranged facing said plurality of X-ray sources;an adjusting unit provided between said plurality of X-ray sources and said X-ray detector and configured to adjust an X-ray irradiation area of said plurality of X-ray sources; anda control unit configured to control said adjusting unit such that X-rays emitted from said plurality of X-ray sources irradiate different areas of an object,wherein said control unit has a plurality of modes of operation, comprising:a first mode for controlling said adjusting unit to shift the X-ray irradiation area; anda second mode for controlling said adjusting unit to change the angle of incidence of the X-ray. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein,in the first mode, said control unit controls said adjusting unit such that X-rays emitted from said plurality of X-ray sources irradiate different areas of an object; andin the second mode, said control unit controls said adjusting unit such that X-rays emitted from said plurality of X-ray sources irradiate the same area of an object from different directions at different timings, respectively. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the X-rays emitted from said plurality of X-ray sources through said adjusting unit have the same direction. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the size of the areas irradiated by the X-rays emitted from said plurality of X-ray sources are the same. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control unit selects one or more X-ray sources for emitting X-rays from among said plurality of X-ray sources in accordance with a given instruction. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control unit sequentially changes an X-ray source for emitting X-rays from among said plurality of X-ray sources. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit configured to set the distance from said plurality of X-ray sources to the object,wherein said control unit controls said adjusting unit such that X-rays emitted from said plurality of X-ray sources irradiate different areas of the object, respectively. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a support member for fixing said plurality of X-ray sources and said X-ray detector. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said adjusting unit comprises an aperture mechanism for adjusting the size of openings corresponding to said plurality of X-ray sources, andwherein said control unit controls said adjusting unit so as to change the size of the openings to adjust the X-ray irradiation area. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said adjusting unit comprises an aperture mechanism for adjusting the position of openings corresponding to said plurality of X-ray sources, andwherein said control unit controls said adjusting unit so as to change the position of the openings to adjust the X-ray irradiation area. 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said adjusting unit comprises an aperture mechanism for adjusting the size and/or position of openings corresponding to said plurality of X-ray sources, andwherein said control unit controls said adjusting unit so as to change the size and/or position of the openings to adjust the X-ray irradiation area. 12. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control unit controls said adjusting unit and the plurality of X-ray sources such that X-rays emitted from said plurality of X-ray sources sequentially irradiate the same area of an object from different directions, in the second mode. 13. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control unit can switch between the first mode and the second mode. 14. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the modes of operation of said control unit further comprise a third mode for controlling said adjusting unit and said plurality of X-ray sources such that X-rays emitted from said plurality of X-ray sources sequentially irradiate one of the different areas from different directions. 15. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the modes of operation of said control unit further comprise a fourth mode for controlling said adjusting unit and said plurality of X-ray sources such that X-rays emitted from said plurality of X-ray sources irradiate different areas of the object from one of the different directions.