Abstract:
A scheme for obtaining an original image free from any dust or scratches on a film by scanning a film original or the like with visible light and infrared light has been proposed. This scheme suffers problems, i.e., a large memory size and long processing time since original image data obtained by infrared light must be stored. To solve such conventional problems, this invention provides, e.g., an image scanning apparatus which has a light source for emitting visible light and invisible light, a scanning device configured to scan an original image irradiated with light emitted by the light source, and a control device configured to control the scanning device to scan the original image irradiated with the invisible light, and then to scan the original image irradiated with the visible light.

Description:
This is divisional of co-pending application Ser. No. 09/396,244, filed Sep. 15, 1999. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to an image scanning apparatus and method for scanning an image on, e.g., a transparent original (also called a transmissive original) such as a developed photographic film or the like, an opaque film original, or the like. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   The arrangement of a conventional film scanner will be explained below with reference to  FIGS. 44 to 46 . 
     FIG. 44  is a perspective view showing principal part of a conventional film scanner,  FIG. 45  is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 44 , and  FIG. 46  is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 44 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 44 to 46 , reference numeral  501  denotes a film carriage used as a platen; and  502 , a developed film which is fixed on the film carriage  501 . Reference numeral  503  denotes a lamp serving as a light source;  504 , a mirror;  505 , a lens; and  506 , a line sensor comprising, e.g., a CCD and the like. Light emitted by the lamp  503  is transmitted through the film  502 , is reflected by the mirror  504 , and forms an image on the line sensor  506  by the lens  505 . 
   Reference numeral  507  denotes a motor for moving the film carriage  501  in the scan direction (the direction of the arrow in  FIGS. 44 and 45 );  508 , a sensor for detecting the position of the film carriage  501 ;  509 , an optical axis extending from the lamp  503  o the line sensor  506 ;  510 , a control circuit;  511 , a lens holder for holding the lens  505 ;  512 , an outer case of the film scanner; and  513 , an input/output terminal. 
   The lamp  503 , line sensor  506 , motor  507 , sensor  508 , and input/output terminal  513  are electrically connected to the control circuit  510 . The control circuit  510  comprises a film scanner control circuit, sensor control circuit, motor control circuit, image information processing circuit, lamp control circuit, line sensor control circuit, film density detection circuit, and motor drive speed determination circuit, as shown in  FIG. 46 . 
   An image information scanning method of the film  502  will be explained below. 
   Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via the input/output terminal  513 , the sensor  508  and sensor control circuit detect the position of the film carriage  501 , and that information is sent to the film scanner control circuit. The motor control circuit drives the motor  507  to set the film carriage  501  at a predetermined standby position, thus moving the film carriage  501  to the standby position. The film density detection circuit detects the density of the film  502  by a known method, and the motor drive speed determination circuit determines the drive speed of the motor  507  for a scan on the basis of the density information. The lamp control circuit turns on the lamp  503 , and the motor  507  is rotated at the determined drive speed, thus scanning the film. During the scan, the line sensor  506  sends image information to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit. Upon completion of the scan, the lamp control circuit turns off the lamp  503 , and at the same time, the image information processing circuit executes image information processing. The obtained image information is then output from the input/output terminal  513 , thus ending film image scanning of the film scanner. 
   In recent years, a film scanner which scans the film not only using visible light, as described above, but also using infrared light to detect dust or scratches on the film, superimposes the detected dust or scratch image information on the image information obtained by a scan using the visible light, and corrects it by image processing has been proposed by, e.g., Japanese Patent Publication No. 06-78992, and the like. 
   However, since such prior art requires a memory for storing film image information obtained by infrared light, a larger memory size than the aforementioned prior art is required. When a film image is scanned with infrared light to correct dust or scratches on the film, the required scan time is prolonged accordingly. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an image scanning apparatus and method which can solve the conventional problems. 
   According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanning apparatus comprising: a light source for emitting visible light and invisible light; scanning means for scanning an original image irradiated with light emitted by the light source; and control means for controlling the scanning means to scan the original image irradiated with the invisible light, and then to scan the original image irradiated with the visible light. 
   According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanning method comprising: the scanning step of scanning, by scanning means, an original image irradiated with light emitted by a light source which emits visible light and invisible light; and the control step of controlling the scanning means to scan the original image irradiated with the invisible light, and then to scan the original image irradiated with the visible light. 
   According to the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a computer program for scanning image information on an original, the computer program including: a code of the step of scanning the image information by irradiating the original with invisible light; and a code of the step of then scanning the image information by irradiating the original with visible light. 
   According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanning apparatus for scanning image information of a transparent original by a relative reciprocal motion between the transparent original and photodetection means for detecting light transmitted through the transparent original, comprising: emission means for emitting light in a first wavelength range and light in a second wavelength range with respect to the transparent original; and control means for controlling to scan image information from the transparent original by the light in the first wavelength range in a motion in one direction of the reciprocal motion, and to scan image information from the transparent original by the light in the second wavelength range in a motion in the other direction of the reciprocal motion. 
   According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanning apparatus for scanning image information of a transparent original by a relative reciprocal motion between the transparent original and optical detection means for detecting light transmitted through the transparent original, comprising: emission means for emitting light in a first wavelength range and light in a second wavelength range with respect to the transparent original; and control means for controlling to scan image information from the transparent original, wherein an operation mode that skips a scan for image information by the light in the second wavelength range upon scanning the image information of the transparent original is selectable. 
   According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanning method applied to an image scanning apparatus for scanning image information of a transparent original by a relative reciprocal motion between the transparent original and photodetection means for detecting light transmitted through the transparent original, comprising: the emission step of emitting light in a first wavelength range and light in a second wavelength range with respect to the transparent original; and the control step of controlling to scan image information from the transparent original by the light in the first wavelength range in a motion in one direction of the reciprocal motion, and to scan image information from the transparent original by the light in the second wavelength range in a motion in the other direction of the reciprocal motion. 
   According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanning method applied to an image scanning apparatus for scanning image information of a transparent original by a relative reciprocal motion between the transparent original and photodetection means for detecting light transmitted through the transparent original, comprising: the emission step of emitting light in a first wavelength range and light in a second wavelength range with respect to the transparent original; and the control step of controlling to scan image information from the transparent original, wherein an operation mode that skips a scan for image information by the light in the second wavelength range upon scanning the image information of the transparent original is selectable. 
   According to the present invention, there is provided a computer readable storage medium, which stores a program for implementing an image scanning method applied to an image scanning apparatus for scanning image information of a transparent original by a relative reciprocal motion between the transparent original and photodetection means for detecting light transmitted through the transparent original, the image scanning method having the emission step of emitting light in a first wavelength range and light in a second wavelength range with respect to the transparent original, and the control step of controlling to scan image information from the transparent original by the light in the first wavelength range in a motion in one direction of the reciprocal motion, and to scan image information from the transparent original by the light in the second wavelength range in a motion in the other direction of the reciprocal motion. 
   According to the present invention, there is provided a computer readable storage medium, which stores a program for implementing an image scanning method applied to an image scanning apparatus for scanning image information of a transparent original by a relative reciprocal motion between the transparent original and photodetection means for detecting light transmitted through the transparent original, the image scanning method having the emission step of emitting light in a first wavelength range and light in a second wavelength range with respect to the transparent original, and the control step of controlling to scan image information from the transparent original, wherein an operation mode that skips a scan for image information by the light in the second wavelength range upon scanning the image information of the transparent original is selectable. 
   According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanning apparatus for scanning image information on an original by a relative reciprocal motion between the original and a line sensor, comprising: scan means for making three types of scans including a rough scan for scanning the image information by visible light at a low resolution, a fine scan for scanning the image information by visible light at a high resolution, and an invisible light scan for scanning the image information by invisible light, wherein the scan means makes the invisible light scan at a lower resolution than the fine scan. 
   According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanning method for scanning image information on an original, comprising: the rough scan step of scanning the image information by visible light at a low resolution; the fine scan step of scanning the image information by visible light at a high resolution; the invisible scan step of scanning the image information by invisible light at a lower resolution than the resolution in the fine scan step. 
   According to the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a computer program for scanning image information on an original, the computer program including: a code of the rough scan step of scanning the image information by visible light at a low resolution; a code of the fine scan step of scanning the image information by visible light at a high resolution; a code of the invisible scan step of scanning the image information by invisible light at a lower resolution than the resolution in the fine scan step. 
   According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanning apparatus for scanning image information on an original by a scan attained by a relative motion between the original and a line sensor, comprising: emission means for emitting visible light and invisible light; and scan means for making two types of scans including a visible light scan for scanning the image information by visible light, and an invisible light scan for scanning the image information by invisible light, wherein the scan means completes the invisible light scan within a shorter period of time than the visible light scan. 
   According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanning apparatus for scanning image information on an original by a scan attained by a relative motion between the original and a line sensor, comprising: emission means for emitting visible light and invisible light; and scan means for making two types of scans including a visible light scan for scanning the image information by visible light, and an invisible light scan for scanning the image information by invisible light, wherein the scan means makes the invisible light scan by a relative motion at a higher speed than a relative motion for the visible light scan. 
   According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanning method for scanning image information on an original by a scan attained by a relative motion between the original and a line sensor, comprising: the visible light scan step of making a scan by the relative motion using visible light; and the invisible light scan step of making a scan using invisible light within a shorter period of time than the visible light scan step. 
   According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanning method for scanning image information on an original by a scan attained by a relative motion between the original and a line sensor, comprising: the visible light scan step of making a scan by the relative motion using visible light; and the invisible light scan step of making a scan using invisible light by a relative motion at higher speed than a relative motion for the visible light scan step. 
   According to the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a computer program for scanning image information on an original by a scan attained by a relative motion between the original and a line sensor, the computer program including: a code of the visible light scan step of making a scan by the relative motion using visible light; and a code of the invisible light scan step of making a scan using invisible light within a shorter period of time than the visible light scan step. 
   According to the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a computer program for scanning image information on an original by a scan attained by a relative motion between the original and a line sensor, the computer program including: a code of the visible light scan step of making a scan by the relative motion using visible light; and a code of the invisible light scan step of making a scan using invisible light by a relative motion at higher speed than a relative motion for the visible light scan step. 
   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. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing principal part of a “film scanner” according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart showing the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a graph showing the spectral sensitivity characteristics of a line sensor, in which curves R, G, and B represent the spectral sensitivity characteristics for visible light (R, G, and B respectively represent the spectral sensitivity characteristics of red, green, and blue light wavelength receiving units of the line sensor), and a curve IR indicates the spectral sensitivity characteristics for infrared light; 
       FIG. 6  is a graph showing the emission spectrum intensity distribution of a lamp; 
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart showing the operation in the second embodiment of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing principal part of a film scanner according to the third embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a flow chart showing the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics of a physical device used in the third embodiment in a transmission state of visible light and infrared light; 
       FIG. 13  is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics of a physical device used in the third embodiment in a non-transmission state of infrared light; 
       FIG. 14  is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics of an overexposed negative film; 
       FIG. 15  is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics of an underexposed negative film; 
       FIG. 16  is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics of an overexposed positive film; 
       FIG. 17  is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics of an underexposed positive film; 
       FIG. 18  is a perspective view showing principal part of a film scanner according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 19  is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 18 ; 
       FIG. 20  is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 18 ; 
       FIG. 21  is a flow chart showing the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 18 ; 
       FIG. 22  is a graph showing the emission spectrum intensity of a visible light emission section of a lamp unit used in the fourth embodiment; 
       FIG. 23  is a graph showing the emission spectrum intensity of an infrared light emission section of the lamp unit used in the fourth embodiment; 
       FIG. 24  is a flow chart in the fifth embodiment for controlling the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 25  is a flow chart in a modification of the fifth embodiment for controlling the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 26  is a flow chart in the sixth embodiment for controlling the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 27  is a flow chart in the seventh embodiment for controlling the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIGS. 28 and 29  are graphs showing the spectral transmission characteristics of a physical device in the seventh embodiment in an infrared light transmission state; 
       FIG. 30  is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics of a physical device in the seventh embodiment in an infrared light non-transmission state; 
       FIG. 31  is a perspective view showing principal part of a film scanner according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 32  is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 31 ; 
       FIG. 33  is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 31 ; 
       FIG. 34  is a flow chart showing the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 31 ; 
       FIG. 35  is a graph showing the emission spectrum intensity distribution of a visible light emission section in a lamp unit in the eighth embodiment; 
       FIG. 36  is a graph showing the emission spectrum intensity distribution of an infrared light emission section in the lamp unit in the eighth embodiment; 
       FIG. 37  is a flow chart in the ninth embodiment for controlling the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 38  is a flow chart in a modification of the ninth embodiment for controlling the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 39  is a flow chart in the 10th embodiment for controlling the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIGS. 40 and 41  are graphs showing the spectral transmission characteristics of a physical device in the 10th embodiment in an infrared light transmission state; 
       FIG. 42  is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics of a physical device in the 10th embodiment in an infrared light non-transmission state; 
       FIG. 43  is a flow chart in the 11th embodiment for controlling the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 31 ; 
       FIG. 44  is a perspective view showing principal part of a conventional film scanner; 
       FIG. 45  is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 44 ; and 
       FIG. 46  is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 44 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail hereinafter taking a film scanner as an example. Note that the present invention is not limited to the form of a film scanner (film image scanning apparatus), and can be practiced in the form of a film image scanning method, and a storage medium that stores a program for implementing this method. 
   (First Embodiment) 
   The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 6 . 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing principal part of a “film scanner” according to the first embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 4  is a flow chart showing the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 5  is a graph showing the spectral sensitivity characteristics of a line sensor, in which curves R, G, and B represent the spectral sensitivity characteristics for visible light (R, G, and B respectively represent the spectral sensitivity characteristics of red, green, and blue light wavelength receiving units of the line sensor), and a curve IR indicates the spectral sensitivity characteristics for infrared light, and  FIG. 6  is a graph showing the emission spectrum intensity of a lamp. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , reference numeral  1  denotes a film carriage used as a platen; and  2 , a developed film which is fixed on the film carriage  1 . Reference numeral  3  denotes a lamp serving as a light source of visible light and infrared light. The lamp  3  has emission characteristics ranging from the visible light wavelength range to the infrared wavelength. Reference numeral  4  denotes a mirror;  5 , a lens; and  6 , a line sensor comprising, e.g., a CCD and the like. Light emitted by the lamp  3  is transmitted through the film  2 , is reflected by the mirror  4 , and forms an image on the line sensor  6 . The line sensor  6  has three light-receiving areas, i.e., R, G, and B light-receiving areas, which are respectively sensitive to red, green, and blue light wavelengths, and at least one of which is also sensitive to infrared light. Reference numeral  7  denotes a motor for moving the film carriage  1  in the scan direction (the direction of the arrow in  FIGS. 1 and 2 );  8 , a sensor for detecting the position of the film carriage  1 ;  9 , an optical axis extending from the lamp  3  to the line sensor  6 ; and  10 , a filter for cutting infrared light. The filter  10  is held to be retractable from the position on the optical axis  9 . Reference numeral  11  denotes a filter motor for moving the filter  10 ;  12 , a control circuit;  13 , a lens holder for holding the lens  5 ;  14 , an outer case of the film scanner;  15 , an input/output terminal;  16 , a density sensor for detecting the film density; and  17 , a filter sensor for detecting the position of the filter  10 . 
   The lamp  3 , line sensor  6 , motor  7 , sensor  8 , filter motor  11 , input/output terminal  15 , density sensor  16 , and filter sensor  17  are electrically connected to the control circuit  12 . The control circuit  12  comprises a film scanner control circuit, sensor control circuit, density sensor control circuit, filter sensor control circuit, motor control circuit, filter motor control circuit, image information processing circuit, lamp control circuit, line sensor control circuit, film density detection circuit, motor drive speed determination circuit, and image information storage circuit, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
   An image scanning method of the film  2  will be explained below with reference to the flow chart shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via the input/output terminal  15 , the sensor  8  and sensor control circuit detect the position of the film carriage  1 , and that information is sent to the film scanner control circuit. The motor control circuit drives the motor  7  at a predetermined drive speed to set the film carriage  1  at a predetermined standby position, thus moving the film carriage  1  to the standby position. At the same time, the filter sensor  17  and filter sensor control circuit detect the position of the filter  10 , and that information is sent to the film scanner control circuit. In order to retract the filter  10  from the position on the optical axis  9 , the filter motor control circuit drives the filter motor  11  to move the filter  10  to its retracted position (see S 1 ; the same applies to the following description). The density sensor  16  and film density detection circuit detect the density of the film  2  (S 2 ), and the motor drive speed determination circuit determines drive speed  1  of the motor  7  for a scan using infrared light, and drive speed  2  of the motor  7  for a scan using visible light on the basis of the density information (S 3 ). The lamp control circuit turns on the lamp  3  (S 4 ), and the motor control circuit rotates the motor  7  in a predetermined direction at drive speed  1  determined previously, thus scanning the film to obtain image information of the film  2  by infrared light (S 5 ). During the scan, the line sensor  6  sends an output signal (image information) to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit to detect the infrared light transmission state, i.e., a region on the film  2  where the transmittance of the infrared light is different from the remaining region by a predetermined value or more, thus detecting any dust/scratch range on the film  2  (S 6 ). The dust/scratch range information is sent to and stored in the image information storage circuit (S 7 ). Upon completion of the scan for obtaining the image information, i.e., the dust/scratch range information of the film  2  by infrared light, the motor  7  is rotated in the reverse direction at a predetermined speed, thus moving the film carriage  1  to the aforementioned standby position. At the same time, the filter motor control circuit drives the filter motor  11  to move the filter  10  to a position where it can cover a light beam having the optical axis  9  as the center while monitoring the position of the filter  10  by the filter sensor  17  and filter sensor control circuit (S 8 ). The motor control circuit rotates the motor  7  in the same direction as that in the scan using the infrared light at drive speed  2  determined previously, thus scanning the film to obtain image information of the film  2  by visible light (S 9 ). During this scan, the line sensor  6  sends an output signal (image information) to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit. 
   Upon completion of this scan, the lamp control circuit turns off the lamp  3  (S 10 ). At the same time, the image information storage circuit sends the dust/scratch range information to the image information processing circuit, which executes image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from the image information of the film  2  obtained by visible light. The image information is output from the input/output terminal  15  (S 11 ), thus ending film image scanning of the film scanner. 
   The scan using the infrared light is to detect dust or scratches on the film  2  by detecting a region of the film  2  where the infrared light transmittance is different from other regions, but is not to obtain high-quality image information unlike the scan using visible light. In other words, since the scan using the infrared light need only detect the region of the film  2  where the infrared light transmittance is different from other regions, i.e., the dust/scratch range, the output signal level of the line sensor  6  can be lower than that in the visible light scan as long as that range can be detected. On the other hand, since the visible light scan is to obtain higher-quality image information than the infrared light scan, the output signal from the line sensor  6  preferably has a largest possible maximum value, and the scan speed is set so that the line sensor  6  can obtain a sufficient exposure amount. Therefore, the exposure amount of the line sensor  6  per unit time in one resolution limit line is decreased to decrease the output signal level in the infrared light scan, and the scan speed is set high to detect the region whose infrared light transmittance is different from other regions. For this reason, drive speed  1  is set to be higher than drive speed  2 , and the infrared scan can be completed within a shorter period of time than the visible light scan. 
   When the infrared light emission intensity of the lamp  3  is smaller than its visible light emission intensity, the line sensor  6  can use a line sensor which has the spectral sensitivity characteristics shown in, e.g.,  FIG. 5  (in  FIG. 5 , R, G, and B represent the spectral sensitivity characteristics for visible light, and IR represents those for infrared light), i.e., has higher sensitivity to infrared light than to visible light. 
   On the other hand, when the infrared light sensitivity of the line sensor  6  is lower than the visible light sensitivity, the lamp  3  can use a lamp having the emission spectrum distribution shown in, e.g.,  FIG. 6 , i.e., having a higher emission intensity of infrared light than visible light. 
   Furthermore, the dust/scratch range information on the film  2  and the image information of the film  2  obtained by visible light may be separately output from the input/output terminal  15 , and a device (not shown) connected to the input/output terminal  15  may execute image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from the image information of the film  2  obtained by visible light. 
   Moreover, an operation mode that skips the scan using infrared light, i.e., the scan for obtaining dust/scratch range information, and makes only a scan for obtaining image information of the film  2  by visible light may be provided. By selecting this mode, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to be scanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image is required, the time required for the image information processing for obtaining image information of the film  2  by visible light can be shortened by skipping the image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range of the image information of the film  2 . 
   (Second Embodiment) 
   A “film scanner” according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be explained below with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 3  and  FIGS. 5 to 7 . 
   Since  FIGS. 1 to 3  and  FIGS. 5 and 6  are the same as those in the first embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.  FIG. 7  is a flow chart showing the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   Also, since reference numerals are common to those in the first embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
   This embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, and is effective for a film scanner having the same arrangement as that of the first embodiment, in which upon reciprocally moving the film carriage  1  by the motor  7  with respect to the line sensor  6 , hysteresis due to the reciprocal motion is very small, that is, two pieces of image information obtained by both movements (forward and backward movements) can be easily overlapped on each other upon capturing images by a movement of the film carriage  1  in a predetermined direction and by a movement in the reverse direction. 
   An image information scanning method of the film  2  will be explained below with reference to the flow chart shown in  FIG. 7 . 
   Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via the input/output terminal  15 , the sensor  8  and sensor control circuit detect the position of the film carriage  1 , and that information is sent to the film scanner control circuit. The motor control circuit drives the motor  7  at a predetermined drive speed to set the film carriage  1  at a predetermined standby position, thus moving the film carriage  1  to the standby position. At the same time, the filter sensor  17  and filter sensor control circuit detect the position of the filter  10 , and that information is sent to the film scanner control circuit. In order to retract the filter  10  from the position on the optical axis  9 , the filter motor control circuit drives the filter motor  11  to move the filter  10  to its retracted position (S 21 ). The density sensor  16  and film density detection circuit detect the density of the film  2  (S 22 ), and the motor drive speed determination circuit determines drive speed  1  of the motor  7  for a scan using infrared light, and drive speed  2  of the motor  7  for a scan using visible light on the basis of the density information (S 23 ). The lamp control circuit turns on the lamp  3  (S 24 ), and the motor control circuit rotates the motor  7  in a predetermined direction at drive speed  1  determined previously, thus scanning the film to obtain image information of the film  2  by infrared light (S 25 ). During the scan, the line sensor  6  sends an output signal (image information) to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit to detect the infrared light transmission state, i.e., a region on the film  2  where the transmittance of the infrared light is different from the remaining region by a predetermined value or more, thus detecting any dust/scratch range on the film  2  (S 26 ). The dust/scratch range information is sent to and stored in the image information storage circuit (S 27 ). Upon completion of the scan for obtaining the image information, i.e., the dust/scratch range information of the film  2  by infrared light, the filter motor control circuit drives the filter motor  11  to move the filter  10  to a position where it can cover a light beam having the optical axis  9  as the center while monitoring the position of the filter  10  by the filter sensor  17  and filter sensor control circuit (S 28 ). The motor control circuit rotates the motor  7  in the reverse direction at drive speed  2  determined previously, thus scanning the film to obtain image information of the film  2  by visible light (S 29 ). During this scan, the line sensor  6  sends an output signal (image information) to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit. 
   Upon completion of this scan, when the lamp control circuit turns off the lamp  3 , the image information storage circuit sends the dust/scratch range information to the image information processing circuit, which executes image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from the image information of the film  2  obtained by visible light (S 30 ). The image information is output from the input/output terminal  15  (S 31 ), thus ending film image scanning of the film scanner. 
   As in the first embodiment, since the scan using the infrared light need only detect the region of the film  2  where the infrared light transmittance is different from other regions, i.e., the dust/scratch range, the output signal level of the line sensor  6  can be lower than that in the visible light scan as long as that range can be detected. On the other hand, since the visible light scan is to obtain higher-quality image information than the infrared light scan, the output signal from the line sensor  6  preferably has a largest possible maximum value, and the scan speed is set so that the line sensor  6  can obtain a sufficient exposure amount. Therefore, the exposure amount of the line sensor  6  per unit time in one resolution limit line is decreased to decrease the output signal level in the infrared light scan, and the scan speed is set high to detect the region whose infrared light transmittance is different from other regions. For this reason, drive speed  1  is set to be higher than drive speed  2 , and the infrared scan can be completed within a shorter period of time than the visible light scan. 
   When the infrared light emission intensity of the lamp  3  is smaller than its visible light emission intensity, the line sensor  6  can use a line sensor which has the spectral sensitivity characteristics shown in, e.g.,  FIG. 5  (in  FIG. 5 , R, G, and B represent the spectral sensitivity characteristics for visible light, and IR represents those for infrared light), i.e., has higher sensitivity to infrared light than to visible light. 
   On the other hand, when the infrared light sensitivity of the line sensor  6  is lower than the visible light sensitivity, the lamp  3  can use a lamp having the emission spectrum distribution shown in, e.g.,  FIG. 6 , i.e., having a higher emission intensity of infrared light than visible light. 
   Furthermore, the dust/scratch range information on the film  2  and the image information of the film  2  obtained by visible light may be separately output from the input/output terminal  15 , and a device (not shown) connected to the input/output terminal  15  may execute image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from the image information of the film  2  obtained by visible light. 
   Moreover, an operation mode that skips the scan using infrared light, i.e., the scan for obtaining dust/scratch range information, and makes only a scan for obtaining image information of the film  2  by visible light may be provided as one of operation modes to be selected. With this mode, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to be scanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image is required, the time required for the image information processing for obtaining image information of the film  2  by visible light can be shortened by skipping the image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range of the image information of the film  2 . 
   (Third Embodiment) 
   The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 8 to 13 . 
     FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing principal part of a film scanner according to the third embodiment,  FIG. 9  is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 10  is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 11  is a flow chart showing the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 12  is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics of a physical device used in this embodiment in the transmission state of visible light and infrared light, and  FIG. 13  is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics of a physical device used in this embodiment in the non-transmission state of infrared light. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8 to 12 , reference numeral  31  denotes a film carriage used as a platen; and  32 , a developed film which is fixed on the film carriage  31 . Reference numeral  33  denotes a lamp serving as a light source of visible light and infrared light. The lamp  33  has emission characteristics ranging from the visible light wavelength range to the infrared wavelength. Reference numeral  34  denotes a mirror;  35 , a lens; and  36 , a line sensor comprising, e.g., a CCD and the like. Light emitted by the lamp  33  is transmitted through the film  32 , is reflected by the mirror  34 , and forms an image on the line sensor  36 . The line sensor  36  has three light-receiving areas, i.e., R, G, and B light-receiving areas, which are respectively sensitive to red, green, and blue light wavelengths, and at least one of which is also sensitive to infrared light (IR). Reference numeral  37  denotes a motor for moving the film carriage  31  in the scan direction (the direction of the arrow in  FIGS. 8 and 9 );  38 , a sensor for detecting the position of the film carriage  31 ;  39 , an optical axis extending from the lamp  33  to the line sensor  36 ; and  40 , a physical device such as electrochromic device whose visible and infrared light transmittances can be controlled electrically. Reference numeral  41  denotes a control circuit;  42 , a lens holder for holding the lens  35 ;  43 , an outer case of the film scanner; and  44 , an input/output terminal. 
   The lamp  33 , line sensor  36 , motor  37 , sensor  38 , physical device  40 , and input/output terminal  44  are electrically connected to the control circuit  41 . The control circuit  41  comprises a film scanner control circuit, sensor control circuit, physical device control circuit, motor control circuit, image information processing circuit, lamp control circuit, line sensor control circuit, film density detection circuit, motor drive speed determination circuit, and image information storage circuit, as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
   An image information scanning method of the film  32  will be described below with reference to the flow chart in  FIG. 11 . 
   Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via the input/output terminal  44 , the sensor  38  and sensor control circuit detect the position of the film carriage  31 , and that information is sent to the film scanner control circuit. The motor control circuit drives the motor  37  at a predetermined drive speed to set the film carriage  31  at a predetermined standby position, thus moving the film carriage  31  to the standby position. At the same time, the physical device control circuit sets the spectral transmission characteristics of the physical device  40  in the transmission state of visible light and infrared light shown in  FIG. 12  (S 41 ). The lamp control circuit turns on the lamp  33  (S 42 ), and the motor control circuit rotates the motor  37  in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed to scan the image range on the film  32  at the predetermined speed in the film surface direction, thus making a rough scan to obtain image information of the film  32  by visible light and infrared light (S 43 ). During the rough scan, the line sensor  36  sends an output signal (image information) to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit, and the film density detection circuit detects the visible light and infrared light transmittances of the film  32 , i.e., the film density on the basis of this information (S 44 ). When the film carriage  31  is returned to its standby position and the rough scan is completed, the motor drive speed determination circuit determines drive speed  1  of the motor  37  for a scan using infrared light and drive speed  2  of the motor  37  for a fine scan using visible light on the basis of the detected film density of the entire film, so as to obtain images with appropriate amounts of light (S 45 ). The motor control circuit rotates the motor  37  in a predetermined direction at drive speed  1  determined previously so as to scan the image range of the film  32  in the film surface direction, thus making a scan for obtaining image information of the film  32  by infrared light (S 46 ). During this scan, the line sensor  36  sends an output signal (image information) to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit to detect the infrared light transmission state, i.e., a region on the film  32  where the transmittance of the infrared light is different from the remaining region by a predetermined value or more, thus detecting any dust/scratch range on the film  32  (S 47 ). The dust/scratch range information is sent to and stored in the image information storage circuit (S 48 ). Upon completion of the scan for obtaining the image information, i.e., the dust/scratch range information of the film  32  by infrared light, the physical device control circuit sets the spectral transmission characteristics of the physical device  40  in the infrared light non-transmission state shown in  FIG. 13  (S 49 ). The motor control circuit rotates the motor  37  in the reverse direction at drive speed  2  determined previously, thus making a fine scan (S 50 ). During this fine scan, the line sensor  36  sends an output signal (image information) to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit. Upon completion of image scanning for the fine scan, the motor control circuit rotates the motor  37  at a predetermined drive speed to return the film carriage  31  to its standby position (S 51 ). In this manner, upon completion of the fine scan, the lamp control circuit turns off the lamp  33 , and at the same time, the image information storage circuit sends the dust/scratch range information to the image information processing circuit, which executes image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range of image information of the film  32  obtained by the fine scan (visible light) (S 52 ). The image information is then output from the input/output terminal  44  (S 53 ), thus ending film image scanning of the film scanner. 
   As in the first embodiment, since the scan using the infrared light need only detect the region of the film  32  where the infrared light transmittance is different from other regions, i.e., the dust/scratch range, the output signal level of the line sensor  36  can be lower than that in the visible light scan as long as that range can be detected. On the other hand, since the visible light scan is to obtain higher-quality image information than the infrared light scan, the output signal from the line sensor  36  preferably has a largest possible maximum value, and the scan speed is set so that the line sensor  36  can obtain a sufficient exposure amount. Therefore, the exposure amount of the line sensor  36  per unit time in one resolution limit line is decreased to decrease the output signal level in the infrared light scan, and the scan speed is set high to detect the region whose infrared light transmittance is different from other regions. For this reason, drive speed  1  is set to be higher than drive speed  2 , and the infrared scan can be completed within a shorter period of time than the visible light scan. 
   When the infrared light emission intensity of the lamp  33  is smaller than its visible light emission intensity, the line sensor  36  can use a line sensor which has the spectral sensitivity characteristics shown in, e.g.,  FIG. 5  (in  FIG. 5 , R, G, and B represent the spectral sensitivity characteristics for visible light, and IR represents those for infrared light), i.e., has higher sensitivity to infrared light than to visible light. 
   On the other hand, when the infrared light sensitivity of the line sensor  36  is lower than the visible light sensitivity, the lamp  33  can use a lamp having the emission spectrum distribution shown in, e.g.,  FIG. 6 , i.e., having a higher emission intensity of infrared light than visible light. 
   Furthermore, the dust/scratch range information on the film  32  and the image information of the film  32  obtained by visible light may be separately output from the input/output terminal  44 , and a device (not shown) connected to the input/output terminal  44  may execute image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from the image information of the film  32  obtained by visible light. 
   In addition, the scan for obtaining image information of the film  32  by infrared light may be made in reciprocal motion of the film carriage  31  in the rough scan in place of that of the film carriage  31  in the fine scan. At this time, a scan for obtaining image information of the film  32  by infrared light is made after the rough scan. 
   Moreover, an operation mode that skips the infrared light scan and makes only a scan for obtaining image information of the film  32  by visible light may be provided as one of operation modes to be selected. With this mode, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to be scanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image is required, the time required for the image information processing for obtaining image information of the film  32  by visible light can be shortened by skipping the image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range of the image information of the film  32 . 
   (Modification of First to Third Embodiments) 
   As a modification of the first to third embodiments, a modification for scanning image information on a photographic film will be explained below with reference to  FIGS. 14 to 17 . 
     FIG. 14  is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics of an overexposed negative film,  FIG. 15  is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics of an underexposed negative film,  FIG. 16  is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics of an overexposed positive film, and  FIG. 17  is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics of an underexposed positive film. 
   Even when a developed photographic negative film appears opaque due to overexposure, i.e., has a low visible light transmittance, it has a high infrared light transmittance, as shown in  FIG. 14 . On the other hand, even when a developed photographic negative film appears transparent due to underexposure, i.e., has a high visible light transmittance, it has a higher infrared light transmittance than that of visible light, as shown in  FIG. 15 . In addition, the infrared light transmittance remains nearly the same independently of overexposure or underexposure. Likewise, even when a developed photographic positive film appears transparent due to overexposure, i.e., has a high visible light transmittance, it has a higher infrared light transmittance than that of visible light, as shown in  FIG. 16 . Also, even when a developed photographic positive film appears opaque due to underexposure, i.e., has a low visible light transmittance, it has a high infrared light transmittance, as shown in  FIG. 17 . In addition, the infrared light transmittance remains nearly the same independently of overexposure or underexposure. For this reason, upon scanning image information on a photographic film, a scan using infrared light may be made at a predetermined drive speed of the motor. Also, at this time, the predetermined drive speed of the motor for the scan using infrared light is set to be higher than that of the motor for a scan using visible light, which is determined by the film density detected by the density sensor of the first and second embodiments or the rough scan of the third embodiment. 
   As can be seen from the above description, upon scanning image information on a photographic film, the time required for scanning image information with infrared light can be easily set to be shorter than that required for scanning image information with visible light. 
   (Fourth Embodiment) 
   The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be explained below using  FIGS. 18 to 23 . 
     FIG. 18  is a perspective view showing principal part of a film scanner of this embodiment,  FIG. 19  is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 18 ,  FIG. 20  is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 18 ,  FIG. 21  is a flow chart showing the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 18 ,  FIG. 22  is a graph showing the emission spectrum intensity of a visible light emission section of a lamp unit used in this embodiment, and  FIG. 23  is a graph showing the emission spectrum intensity of an infrared light emission section of the lamp unit used in this embodiment. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 18 to 20 , reference numeral  101  denotes a film carriage used as a platen; and  102 , a developed film which is fixed on the film carriage  101 . Reference numeral  103  denotes a lamp unit which is constructed by a visible light emission section  103   a  having the emission spectrum intensity distribution shown in  FIG. 22  and an infrared light emission section  103   b  having the emission spectrum intensity distribution shown in  FIG. 23 . Reference numeral  104  denotes a mirror;  105 , a lens; and  106 , a line sensor comprising, e.g., a CCD and the like. Light emitted by the lamp unit  103  is transmitted through the film  102 , is reflected by the mirror  104 , and forms an image on the line sensor  106 . The line sensor  106  has three light-receiving areas, i.e., R, G, and B light-receiving areas, which are respectively sensitive to red, green, and blue light wavelengths, and at least one of which is also sensitive to infrared light. Reference numeral  107  denotes a motor for moving the film carriage  101  in the scan direction (the direction of the arrow in  FIGS. 18 and 19 );  108 , a sensor for detecting the position of the film carriage  101 ;  109 , an optical axis extending from the lamp  103  to the line sensor  106 ;  110 , a control circuit;  111 , a lens holder for holding the lens  105 ;  112 , an outer case of the film scanner; and  113 , an input/output terminal. 
   The lamp unit  103 , line sensor  106 , motor  107 , sensor  108 , and input/output terminal  113  are electrically connected to the control circuit  110 . The control circuit  110  comprises a film scanner control circuit, sensor control circuit, motor control circuit, image information processing circuit, lamp unit control circuit, line sensor control circuit, film density detection circuit, motor drive speed determination circuit, and image information storage circuit, as shown in  FIG. 20 . 
   An image information scanning method of the film  102  will be explained below with reference to the flow chart in  FIG. 21 . 
   Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via the input/output terminal  113 , the sensor  108  and sensor control circuit detect the position of the film carriage  101 , and that information is sent to the film scanner control circuit. The motor control circuit drives the motor  107  to set the film carriage  101  at a predetermined standby position, thus moving the film carriage  101  to the standby position (see S 101 ; the same applies to the following description). The lamp unit control circuit turns on the visible light emission section  103   a  of the lamp unit  103  (S 102 ), and the motor control circuit rotates the motor  107  in a predetermined direction at a predetermined drive speed, thus making a rough scan for obtaining image information of the film  102  by visible light (S 103 ). During the rough scan, the line sensor  106  sends image information to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit, and the film density detection circuit detects the light transmittance of the film  102 , i.e., the film density on the basis of that information (S 104 ). Upon completion of image scanning for the rough scan, the lamp control unit turns off the visible light emission section  103   a  of the lamp unit  103  (S 105 ), and then turns on the infrared light emission section  103   b  of the lamp unit  103  (S 106 ). The motor drive circuit rotates the motor  107  in the reverse direction at a predetermined speed to make a scan for obtaining image information of the film  102  by infrared light (S 107 ). During this scan, the line sensor  106  sends image information to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit to detect the infrared light transmission state, i.e., a region on the film  102  where the transmittance of the infrared light is different from the remaining region by a predetermined value or more, thus detecting any dust/scratch range on the film  102  (S 108 ). The dust/scratch range information is sent to and stored in the image information storage circuit (S 109 ). Upon completion of the scan for obtaining the image information, i.e., the dust/scratch range information of the film  102  by infrared light, the lamp unit control circuit turns off the infrared light emission section  103   b  of the lamp unit  103  (S 110 ), and the motor drive speed determination circuit determines the motor drive speed in a fine scan to obtain an image with an appropriate amount of light on the basis of the film density of the entire film detected in the rough scan made previously (S 111 ). The lamp control unit turns on the visible light emission section  103   a  of the lamp unit  103  (S 112 ). The motor control circuit rotates the motor  107  at the determined motor drive speed in a predetermined direction to make a fine scan (S 113 ). During this fine scan, the line sensor  106  sends image information to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit. Upon completion of image scanning for the fine scan, the film carriage  101  is returned to its standby position (S 114 ). In this manner, upon completion of the fine scan, the lamp unit control circuit turns off the visible light emission section  103   a  of the lamp unit  103 , and at the same time, the image information storage circuit sends the dust/scratch range information to the image information processing circuit, which executes image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range of image information of the film  102  obtained by the fine scan (visible light) (S 115 ). The image information is then output from the input/output terminal  113  (S 116 ), thus ending film image scanning of the film scanner. 
   When the scan using infrared light is made at the same resolution as that in the rough scan in which the resolution is lower than that in the fine scan, or it is made at a resolution lower than that in the fine scan, the storage capacity (memory size) of a storage means can be reduced compared to a case wherein that scan is made at the same resolution as that in the fine scan and, at the same time, the time required for the scan using infrared light can be shortened. More specifically, upon scanning image information in the fine scan, an image quality proportional to the scan resolution can be obtained. However, since the scan using infrared light is to obtain dust/scratch range information on the film and to correct image information obtained in the fine scan, it need only specify the dust/scratch range on the film and can achieve its objective (to obtain the dust/scratch range information on the film) even when its resolution is lower than that in the fine scan. For this reason, when the scan resolution in the scan using infrared light is set to be equal to that in the rough scan or to be lower than that in the fine scan, the storage capacity (memory size) of the storage means can be reduced compared to a case wherein that scan is made at the same resolution as that in the fine scan. At the same time, when a low scan resolution is set, the motor  107  can be driven at a higher drive speed (since sampling in the scan can be made coarser) and, hence, the time required for the scan using infrared light can be shortened. 
   The scan for obtaining image information of the film  102  using infrared light (infrared light scan) may be made before the rough scan in place of the above-mentioned timing. 
   Also, the dust/scratch range information on the film  102  and the image information of the film  102  obtained by visible light may be separately output from the input/output terminal  113 , and a device (not shown) connected to the input/output terminal  113  may execute image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from the image information of the film  102  obtained by visible light. 
   Furthermore, an operation mode that skips the infrared light scan and makes only a scan for obtaining image information of the film  102  by visible light may be provided as one of operation modes to be selected. With this mode, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to be scanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image is required, the time required for the image information processing for obtaining image information of the film  102  by visible light can be shortened by skipping the image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range of the image information of the film  102 . 
   (Fifth Embodiment) 
   The fifth embodiment of the present invention will be explained below with reference to  FIG. 24 , and  FIGS. 8 to 10  and  FIGS. 12 and 13  used in the description of the third embodiment.  FIG. 24  is a flow chart in this embodiment for controlling the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 8 . 
   An image information scanning method of the film  32  will be explained below with reference to the flow chart in  FIG. 24 . Note that reference numerals used in the following description are common to those in the third embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
   Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via the input/output terminal  44 , the sensor  38  and sensor control circuit detect the position of the film carriage  31 , and that information is sent to the film scanner control circuit. The motor control circuit drives the motor  37  at a predetermined drive speed to set the film carriage  31  at a predetermined standby position, thus moving the film carriage  31  to the standby position. At the same time, the physical device control circuit sets the spectral transmission characteristics of the physical device  40  in the transmission state of visible light and infrared light shown in  FIG. 12  (S 121 ). The lamp control circuit turns on the lamp  33  (S 122 ), and the motor control circuit rotates the motor  37  in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed to scan an image range on the film  32  at the predetermined speed in the film surface direction, thus making a rough scan to obtain image information of the film  32  by visible light and infrared light (S 123 ). During the rough scan, the line sensor  36  sends an output signal (image information) to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit, and the film density detection circuit detects the visible light transmittance of the film  32 , i.e., the film density on the basis of this information. Likewise, the image information processing circuit detects the infrared light transmission state, i.e., a region on the film  32  where the transmittance of the infrared light is different from the remaining region by a predetermined value or more, thus detecting any dust/scratch range on the film  32  (S 124 ). The dust/scratch range information is sent to and stored in the image information storage circuit (S 125 ). 
   When the motor control circuit rotates the motor  37  in the reverse direction at a predetermined drive speed to return the film carriage  31  to its standby position, and the rough scan and the scan for obtaining the dust/scratch range information are completed, the motor drive speed determination circuit determines the drive speed of the motor  37  for a fine scan to obtain an image with an appropriate amount of light on the basis of the detected film density on the entire film (S 126 ). The physical device control circuit then sets the spectral transmission characteristics of the physical device  40  in the infrared light non-transmission state shown in  FIG. 13  (S 127 ). The motor control circuit rotates the motor  37  in a predetermined direction at the determined drive speed, thus making a fine scan (S 128 ). During this fine scan, the line sensor  36  sends an output signal (image information) to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit. Upon completion of image scanning for the fine scan, the motor control circuit rotates the motor  37  at a predetermined drive speed to return the film carriage  31  to its standby position (S 129 ). In this manner, upon completion of the fine scan, the lamp control circuit turns off the lamp  33 , and at the same time, the image information storage circuit sends the dust/scratch range information to the image information processing circuit, which executes image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range of image information of the film  32  obtained by the fine scan (visible light) (S 130 ). The image information is then output from the input/output terminal  44  (S 131 ), thus ending film image scanning of the film scanner. 
   As in the fourth embodiment, the dust/scratch range information on the film  32  and the image information of the film  32  obtained by visible light may be separately output from the input/output terminal  44 , and a device (not shown) connected to the input/output terminal  44  may execute image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from the image information of the film  32  obtained by visible light. 
   Also, an operation mode that skips the infrared light scan and makes only a scan for obtaining image information of the film  32  by visible light may be provided as one of operation modes to be selected. With this mode, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to be scanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image is required, the time required for the image information processing for obtaining image information of the film  32  by visible light can be shortened by skipping the image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range of the image information of the film  32 . 
   A modification of the fifth embodiment will be explained below with reference to  FIG. 25 .  FIG. 25  is a flow chart in this modification for controlling the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 8 . As in the fifth embodiment, since reference numerals used in the following description are common to those in the third embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
   This modification is effective for a film scanner having the same arrangement as that of the third embodiment, in which upon reciprocally moving the film carriage  31  by the motor  37  with respect to the line sensor  36 , hysteresis due to the reciprocal motion is very small, that is, two pieces of image information obtained by movements in two directions (forward and backward movements) can be easily overlapped on each other upon capturing images by a movement of the film carriage  31  in a predetermined direction and by a movement in the reverse direction. 
   An image information scanning method of the film  32  will be described below using the flow chart in  FIG. 25 . 
   Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via the input/output terminal  44 , the sensor  38  and sensor control circuit detect the position of the film carriage  31 , and that information is sent to the film scanner control circuit. The motor control circuit drives the motor  37  at a predetermined drive speed to set the film carriage  31  at a predetermined standby position, thus moving the film carriage  31  to the standby position. At the same time, the physical device control circuit sets the spectral transmission characteristics of the physical device  40  in the transmission state of visible light and infrared light shown in  FIG. 12  (S 141 ). The lamp control circuit turns on the lamp  33  (S 142 ), and the motor control circuit rotates the motor  37  in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed to scan the image range on the film  32  at the predetermined speed in the film surface direction, thus making a rough scan to obtain image information of the film  32  by visible light and infrared light (S 143 ). During the rough scan, the line sensor  36  sends an output signal (image information) to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit, and the film density detection circuit detects light transmittance of the visible light of the film  32 , i.e., the film density on the basis of this information. Likewise, the image information processing circuit detects the infrared light transmission state, i.e., a region on the film  32  where the transmittance of the infrared light is different from the remaining region by a predetermined value or more, thus detecting any dust/scratch range on the film  32  (S 144 ). The dust/scratch range information is sent to and stored in the image information storage circuit (S 145 ). 
   Upon completion of the rough scan and the scan for obtaining the dust/scratch range information on the film, the motor drive speed determination circuit determines the drive speed of the motor  37  for a fine scan to obtain an image with an appropriate amount of light on the basis of the detected film density on the entire film (S 146 ). The physical device control circuit then sets the spectral transmission characteristics of the physical device  40  in the infrared light non-transmission state shown in  FIG. 13  (S 147 ). The motor control circuit rotates the motor  37  in the reverse direction at the determined drive speed, thus making a fine scan (S 148 ). During this fine scan, the line sensor  36  sends an output signal (image information) to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit. Upon completion of image scanning for the fine scan, the motor control circuit rotates the motor  37  at a predetermined drive speed to return the film carriage  31  to its standby position (S 149 ). In this manner, upon completion of the fine scan, the lamp control circuit turns off the lamp  33 , and at the same time, the image information storage circuit sends the dust/scratch range information to the image information processing circuit, which executes image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range of image information of the film  32  obtained by the fine scan (visible light) (S 150 ). The image information is then output from the input/output terminal  44 , thus ending film image scanning of the film scanner. 
   As in the above embodiments, the dust/scratch range information on the film  32  and the image information of the film  32  obtained by visible light may be separately output from the input/output terminal  44 , and a device (not shown), connected to the input/output terminal  44  may execute image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from the image information of the film  32  obtained by visible light. 
   Also, an operation mode that skips the infrared light scan and makes only a scan for obtaining image information of the film  32  by visible light may be provided as one of operation modes to be selected. With this mode, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to be scanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image is required, the time required for the image information processing for obtaining image information of the film  32  by visible light can be shortened by skipping the image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range of the image information of the film  32 . 
   (Sixth Embodiment) 
   The sixth embodiment of the present invention will be explained below with reference to  FIG. 26 , and  FIGS. 1 to 3  used in the description of the first embodiment.  FIG. 26  is a flow chart in this embodiment for controlling the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   An image information scanning method of the film  2  will be explained below with reference to the flow chart in  FIG. 26 . Note that reference numerals used in the following description are common to those in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
   Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via the input/output terminal  15 , the sensor  8  and sensor control circuit detect the position of the film carriage  1 , and that information is sent to the film scanner control circuit. The motor control circuit drives the motor  7  to set the film carriage  1  at a predetermined standby position, thus moving the film carriage  1  to the standby position. At the same time, the filter sensor  17  and filter sensor control circuit detect the position of the filter  10 , and that information is sent to the film scanner control circuit. In order to retract the filter  10  from the position on the optical axis  9 , the filter motor control circuit drives the filter motor  11  to move the filter  10  to its retracted position (step S 201 ). 
   The density sensor  16  and film density detection circuit detect the density of the film  2  (step S 202 ), and the motor drive speed determination circuit determines the drive speed of the motor  7  for a scan on the basis of this information (step S 203 ). The lamp control circuit turns on the lamp  3  (step S 204 ), and the motor control circuit rotates the motor  7  in a predetermined direction at the determined drive speed, thus scanning the film to obtain image information of the film  2  by infrared light (step S 205 ). 
   During the scan, the line sensor  6  sends image information to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit to detect the infrared light transmission state, i.e., a region on the film  2  where the transmittance of the infrared light is different from the remaining region by a predetermined value or more, thus detecting any dust/scratch range on the film  2  (step S 206 ). The dust/scratch range information is then sent to and stored in the image information storage circuit (step S 207 ). 
   Upon completion of the scan for obtaining the image information, i.e., the dust/scratch range information of the film  2  by infrared light, the filter motor control circuit drives the filter motor  11  to move the filter  10  to a position where it can cover a light beam having the optical axis  9  as the center while monitoring the position of the filter  10  by the filter sensor  17  and filter sensor control circuit (step S 208 ). The motor control circuit rotates the motor  7  in the reverse direction at the previously determined drive speed, thus scanning the film to obtain image information of the film  2  by visible light (step S 209 ). During this scan, the line sensor  6  sends image information to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit. 
   Upon completion of this scan, the lamp control circuit turns off the lamp  3  and, at the same time, the image information storage circuit sends the dust/scratch range information to the image information processing circuit, which executes image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range on the image information of the film  2  obtained by visible light (step S 210 ). The image information is output from the input/output terminal  15  (step S 211 ), thus ending film image scanning of the film scanner. 
   In the sixth embodiment, the dust/scratch range information on the film  2  and the image information of the film  2  obtained by visible light may be separately output from the input/output terminal  15 , and a device (not shown) connected to the input/output terminal  15  may execute image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from the image information of the film  2  obtained by visible light. 
   Also, in the sixth embodiment, the scan for obtaining image information of the film  2  by visible light may be made prior to the scan for obtaining image information of the film  2  by infrared light. In this case, however, the image information of the film  2  obtained by visible light must be stored in the image information storage circuit. 
   Furthermore, in the sixth embodiment, an operation mode that skips the scan using infrared light, i.e., the scan for obtaining dust/scratch range information, and makes only a scan for obtaining image information of the film  2  by visible light may be provided as one of operation modes to be selected. With this mode, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to be scanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image is required, the time required for the image information processing for obtaining image information of the film  2  by visible light can be shortened by skipping the image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range of the image information of the film  2 . 
   As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, since image information is scanned by visible light in a motion in one direction of a relative reciprocal motion between the film  2  as a transparent original, and the line sensor  6 , and image information is scanned by infrared light in a motion in the other direction of the reciprocal motion, the relative reciprocal motion between the film  3  and line sensor  6  for scanning image information by visible light, and that for scanning image information by infrared light need not be separately made. Therefore, a simple film image scanning apparatus which can make a scan using infrared light to obtain a film image free from any dust or scratches within a shorter period of time than a conventional apparatus can be provided. 
   Also, since the operation mode that skips the infrared light scan upon scanning image information of the film  2  is provided and can be selected, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to be scanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image is required, the time required for the image information processing for obtaining image information of the film by visible light can be shortened by skipping the image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range of the image information of the film. 
   (Seventh Embodiment) 
   The seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 27 to 30 , and  FIGS. 8 to 10  used in the description of the third embodiment.  FIG. 27  is a flow chart in this embodiment for controlling the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 8 .  FIGS. 28 and 29  are graphs showing the spectral transmission characteristics of a physical device in the seventh embodiment in an infrared light transmission state, and  FIG. 30  is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics of a physical device in the seventh embodiment in an infrared light non-transmission state. 
   An image information scanning method of the film  32  will be described below with reference to the flow chart in  FIG. 27 . Note that reference numerals used in the following description are common to those in the third embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
   Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via the input/output terminal  44 , the sensor  38  and sensor control circuit detect the position of the film carriage  31 , and that information is sent to the film scanner control circuit. The motor control circuit drives the motor  37  to set the film carriage  31  at a predetermined standby position, thus moving the film carriage  31  to the standby position. At the same time, the physical device control circuit sets the spectral transmission characteristics of the physical device  40  in the infrared light transmission state shown in  FIG. 28  or  29  (step S 251 ). 
   The lamp control circuit turns on the lamp  33  (step S 252 ), and the motor control circuit rotates the motor  37  in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed to scan the image range on the film  32  at the predetermined speed in the film surface direction, thus making a scan to obtain image information of the film  32  by infrared light (step S 253 ). 
   During the scan, the line sensor  36  sends image information to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit, and the image information processing circuit detects the infrared light transmission state, i.e., a region on the film  32  where the transmittance of the infrared light is different from the remaining region by a predetermined value or more, thus detecting any dust/scratch range on the film  32  (step S 255 ). 
   Upon completion of the scan for obtaining the image information, i.e., the dust/scratch range information of the film  32  by infrared light, the physical device control circuit sets the spectral transmission characteristics of the physical device  40  in the infrared light non-transmission state shown in  FIG. 30  (step S 256 ). The motor control circuit rotates the motor  37  in the reverse direction at a predetermined drive speed, thus making a rough scan for obtaining image information of the film  32  by visible light (step S 257 ). During this rough scan, the line sensor  36  sends image information to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit, and the film density detection circuit detects the light transmittance of the film  32 , i.e., the film density on the basis of this information (step S 258 ). 
   When the film carriage  31  returns to its standby position and the rough scan is complete, the motor drive speed determination circuit determines the motor drive speed for a fine scan on the basis of the detected film density of the entire film, so as to obtain an image with an appropriate amount of light (step S 259 ). The motor control circuit rotates the motor  37  in a predetermined direction at the determined motor drive speed, thus making a fine scan (step S 260 ). During this fine scan, the line sensor  36  sends image information to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit. 
   Upon completion of image scanning for the fine scan, the motor control circuit rotates the motor  37  at a predetermined drive speed to return the film carriage  31  to its standby position (step S 261 ). In this manner, upon completion of the fine scan, the lamp control circuit turns off the lamp  33 , and at the same time, the image information storage circuit sends the dust/scratch range information to the image information processing circuit, which executes image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range of image information of the film  32  obtained by the fine scan (visible light) (step S 262 ). The image information is then output from the input/output terminal  44  (step S 263 ), thus ending film image scanning of the film scanner. 
   In the seventh embodiment, the dust/scratch range information on the film  32  and the image information of the film  32  obtained by visible light may be separately output from the input/output terminal  44 , and a device (not shown) connected to the input/output terminal  44  may execute image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from the image information of the film  32  obtained by visible light. 
   Also, in the seventh embodiment, the scan for obtaining image information of the film  32  by infrared light is made by moving the film carriage  31  in one direction, and after that, the rough scan is made by returning the film carriage  31  (movement of the film carriage  31  in the reverse direction). Alternatively, after the rough scan is made by moving the film carriage  31  in one direction, the scan for obtaining image information of the film  32  by infrared light may be made by returning the film carriage  31  (movement of the film carriage  31  in the reverse direction). However, in this case, image information of the film  32  obtained by visible light must be stored in the image information storage circuit. 
   Furthermore, in the seventh embodiment, the scan for obtaining image information of the film  32  by infrared light may be made during the reciprocal motion of the film carriage  31  in the fine scan in place of that of the film carriage  31  in the rough scan. In this case, either of the scan for obtaining image information of the film  32  by infrared light or the fine scan may be made first. When the fine scan is made first, image information of the film  32  obtained by visible light must be stored in the image information storage circuit. 
   Moreover, in the seventh embodiment, an operation mode that skips the infrared light scan and makes only a scan for obtaining image information of the film  32  by visible light may be provided as one of operation modes to be selected. With this mode, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to be scanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image is required, the time required for the image information processing for obtaining image information of the film  32  by visible light can be shortened by skipping the image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range of the image information of the film  32 . 
   As described above, according to the seventh embodiment, since image information of the film  32  as a transparent original is scanned in three scan modes, i.e., a rough scan for obtaining rough image information of the film  32  by visible light, a fine scan for obtaining image information of the film  32  by visible light with designated quality, and an infrared light scan for scanning image information of the film  32  with infrared light, a simple film image scanning apparatus which can make a scan using infrared light to obtain a film image free from any dust or scratches within a shorter period of time than a conventional apparatus can be provided. 
   Also, since the operation mode that skips the infrared light scan upon scanning image information of the film  32  is provided and can be selected, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to be scanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image is required, the time required for the image information processing for obtaining image information of the film by visible light can be shortened by skipping the image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range of the image information of the film. 
   (Eighth Embodiment) 
   The eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 31 to 36 .  FIG. 31  is a perspective view showing principal part of a film scanner according to the eighth embodiment,  FIG. 32  is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 31 ,  FIG. 33  is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 31 ,  FIG. 34  is a flow chart showing the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 31 ,  FIG. 35  is a graph showing the emission spectrum intensity distribution of a visible light emission section in a lamp unit in the eighth embodiment, and  FIG. 36  is a graph showing the emission spectrum intensity distribution of an infrared light emission section in the lamp unit in the eighth embodiment. 
   The film scanner according to the eighth embodiment comprises a film carriage  161 , lamp unit  163 , mirror  164 , lens  165 , line sensor  166 , motor  167 , sensor  168 , control circuit  172 , lens holder  173 , outer case  174 , input/output terminal  175 , and density sensor  176 . 
   The arrangements of these components will be explained in detail below. The film carriage  161  is used as a platen, and a developed film  162  is fixed on the film carriage  161 . The lamp unit  163  is constructed by a visible light emission section  163   a  having the emission spectrum intensity distribution shown in  FIG. 35 , and an infrared light emission section  163   b  having the emission spectrum intensity distribution shown in  FIG. 36 . The line sensor  166  comprises a CCD (charge coupled device) and the like. Light emitted by the lamp unit  163  is transmitted through the film  162 , is reflected by the mirror  164 , and forms an image on the line sensor  166 . The line sensor  166  has three light-receiving areas, i.e., R, G, and B light-receiving areas, which are respectively sensitive to red, green, and blue light wavelengths, and at least one of which is also sensitive to infrared light. 
   The motor  167  moves the film carriage  161  in the scan direction (the direction of the arrow in  FIGS. 31 and 32 ). The sensor  161  detects the position of the film carriage  161 . Reference numeral  169  in  FIG. 31  denotes an optical axis extending from the lamp  163  to the line sensor  166 . The control circuit  172  has an arrangement shown in  FIG. 33 , and executes the processes shown in the flow chart in  FIG. 34 . The lens holder  173  holds the lens  165 . The outer case  174  houses the respective units of the film scanner. An external device is connected to the input/output terminal  175 . The density sensor  176  detects the film density. The lamp unit  163 , line sensor  166 , motor  167 , sensor  168 , and input/output terminal  175  are electrically connected to the control circuit  172 . 
     FIG. 33  is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of the film scanner according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. The control circuit  172  comprises a film scanner control circuit  177 , sensor control circuit  178 , motor control circuit  179 , image information processing circuit  180 , lamp unit control circuit  181 , image information storage circuit  182 , line sensor control circuit  183 , film density detection circuit  184 , motor drive speed determination circuit  185 , and density sensor control circuit  186 . 
   The functions of these circuits will be explained below. The film scanner control circuit  177  integrally controls the circuits  178  to  186 . The sensor control circuit  178  detects the position of the film carriage  161  on the basis of a detection signal from the sensor  168 . The motor control circuit  179  controls to drive the motor  167 , thereby moving the film carriage  161  in the scan direction. The image information processing circuit  180  executes image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from image information of the film  162 . 
   The lamp unit control circuit  181  controls to turn on/off the lamp unit  163 . The image information storage circuit  182  stores dust/scratch range information on the film  162 . The line sensor control circuit  183  controls the line sensor  166  to capture image information from the line sensor  166 . The film density detection circuit  184  detects film density. The motor drive speed determination circuit  185  determines the drive speed of the motor  167 . The density sensor control circuit  186  controls the density sensor  176 . 
   An image scanning method of the film  162  in the film scanner with the above arrangement according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the flow chart in  FIG. 34 . 
   Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via the input/output terminal  175 , the sensor  168  and sensor control circuit  178  detect the position of the film carriage  161 , and that information is sent to the film scanner control circuit  177 . The motor control circuit  179  drives the motor  167  to set the film carriage  161  at a predetermined standby position, thus moving the film carriage  161  to the standby position (step S 301 ). 
   The density sensor  176  and film density detection circuit  184  detect the density of the film  162  (step S 302 ), and the motor drive speed determination circuit  185  determines the drive speed of the motor  167  for a scan (step S 303 ). The lamp unit control circuit  181  turns on the infrared light emission section  163   b  of the lamp unit  163  (step S 304 ), and the motor control circuit  179  rotates the motor  167  in a predetermined direction at the determined drive speed, thus making a scan for obtaining image information of the film  102  by infrared light (step S 305 ). 
   During this scan, the line sensor  166  sends image information to the image information processing circuit  180  via the line sensor control circuit  183  to detect the infrared light transmission state, i.e., a region on the film  162  where the transmittance of the infrared light is different from the remaining region by a predetermined value or more, thus detecting any dust/scratch range on the film  162  (step S 306 ). The dust/scratch range information is sent to and stored in the image information storage circuit  182  (step S 307 ). 
   Upon completion of the scan for obtaining the image information, i.e., the dust/scratch range information of the film  162  by infrared light, the lamp unit control circuit  181  turns off the infrared light emission section  163   b  of the lamp unit  163 , and then turns on the visible light emission section  163   a  of the lamp unit  163  (step S 308 ). The motor control circuit  179  rotates the motor  167  at the determined drive speed in the reverse direction to make a scan for obtaining image information of the film  162  by visible light (step S 309 ). During this scan, the line sensor  166  sends image information to the image information processing circuit  180  via the line sensor control circuit  183 . 
   Upon completion of this scan, the lamp unit control circuit  181  turns off the visible light emission section  163   a  of the lamp unit  163 , and at the same time, the image information storage circuit  182  sends the dust/scratch range information to the image information processing circuit  180 , which executes image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from image information of the film  162  obtained by visible light (step S 310 ). The image information is then output from the input/output terminal  175  (step S 311 ), thus ending film image scanning of the film scanner. 
   In the eighth embodiment, the dust/scratch range information on the film  162  and the image information of the film  162  obtained by visible light may be separately output from the input/output terminal  175 , and the device (not shown) connected to the input/output terminal  175  may execute image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from the image information of the film  162  obtained by visible light. 
   Also, in the eighth embodiment, the scan for obtaining image information of the film  162  by visible light may be made prior to the scan for obtaining image information of the film  162  by infrared light. In this case, however, the image information of the film  162  obtained by visible light must be stored in the image information storage circuit  182 . 
   Furthermore, in the eighth embodiment, an operation mode that skips the infrared light scan and makes only a scan for obtaining image information of the film  162  by visible light may be provided as one of operation modes to be selected. With this mode, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to be scanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image is required, the time required for the image information processing for obtaining image information of the film  162  by visible light can be shortened by skipping the image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range of the image information of the film  162 . 
   As described above, in the eighth embodiment, after the scan for obtaining image information of the film  162  by infrared light is made by turning on the infrared light emission section  163   b  of the lamp unit  163 , the scan for obtaining image information of the film  162  by visible light is made by turning on the visible light emission section  163   a  of the lamp unit  163 . Therefore, a simple film image scanning apparatus which can make a scan using infrared light to obtain a film image free from any dust or scratches within a shorter period of time than a conventional apparatus can be provided. 
   Also, since the operation mode that skips the infrared light scan upon scanning image information of the film  162  is provided and can be selected, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to be scanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image is required, the time required for the image information processing for obtaining image information of the film by visible light can be shortened by skipping the image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range of the image information of the film. 
   (Ninth Embodiment) 
   The ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to  FIG. 37  and  FIGS. 1 to 3  used in the description of the first embodiment.  FIG. 37  is a flow chart in this embodiment for controlling the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   An image information scanning method of the film  2  will be explained below with reference to the flow chart in  FIG. 37 . Note that reference numerals used in the following description are common to those in the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
   (Step S 351 ) Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via the input/output terminal  15 , the sensor  8  and sensor control circuit detect the position of the film carriage  1 , and that information is sent to the film scanner control circuit. The motor control circuit drives the motor  7  to set the film carriage  1  at a predetermined standby position, thus moving the film carriage  1  to the standby position. At the same time, the filter sensor  17  and filter sensor control circuit detect the position of the filter  10 , and that information is sent to the film scanner control circuit. In order to retract the filter  10  from the position on the optical axis  9 , the filter motor control circuit drives the filter motor  11  to move the filter  10  to its retracted position. 
   (Step S 352 ) The density sensor  16  and film density detection circuit detect the density of the film  2 . 
   (Step S 353 ) The motor drive speed determination circuit determines the drive speed of the motor  7  for a scan on the basis of the detected density information. 
   (Step S 354 ) The lamp control circuit turns on the lamp  3 . 
   (Step S 355 ) The motor control circuit rotates the motor  7  in a predetermined direction at the determined drive speed, thus scanning the film to obtain image information of the film  2  by infrared light. 
   (Step S 356 ) During the scan, the line sensor  6  sends image information to the image information processing circuit (detection means) via the line sensor control circuit to detect the infrared light transmission state, i.e., a region on the film  2  where the transmittance of the infrared light is different from the remaining region by a predetermined value or more, thus detecting any range suffering abnormality such as dust or scratches on the film  2 . 
   (Step S 357 ) The dust/scratch range information is then sent to and stored in the image information storage circuit. 
   (Step S 358 ) Upon completion of the scan for obtaining the image information, i.e., the dust/scratch range information of the film  2  by infrared light, the motor  7  is reversed to move the film carriage  1  to the aforementioned standby position. At the same time, the filter motor control circuit drives the filter motor  11  to move the filter  10  to a position where it can cover a light beam having the optical axis  9  as the center while monitoring the position of the filter  10  by the filter sensor  17  and filter sensor control circuit. 
   (Step S 359 ) The motor control circuit rotates the motor  7  in the same direction as that in the scan using infrared light at the previously determined drive speed, thus scanning the film to obtain image information of the film  2  by visible light. During this scan, the line sensor  6  sends image information to the image information processing circuit (signal processing means) via the line sensor control circuit. 
   (Step S 360 ) Upon completion of this scan, the lamp control circuit turns off the lamp  3  and, at the same time, the image information storage circuit sends the dust/scratch range information to the image information processing circuit, which executes image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range on the image information of the film  2  obtained by visible light. 
   (Step S 361 ) The image information is output from the input/output terminal  15 , thus ending film image scanning of the film scanner. 
   Note that the dust/scratch range information on the film  2  and the image information of the film  2  obtained by visible light may be separately output from the input/output terminal  15 , and a device (not shown) connected to the input/output terminal  15  may execute image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from the image information of the film  2  obtained by visible light. 
   Furthermore, an operation mode that skips the scan using infrared light, i.e., the scan for obtaining dust/scratch range information, and makes only a scan for obtaining image information of the film  2  by visible light may be provided as one of operation modes to be selected. With this mode, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to be scanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image is required, the time required for the image information processing for obtaining image information of the film  2  by visible light can be shortened by skipping the image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range of the image information of the film  2 . 
   As described above, according to the ninth embodiment, image information of the film is scanned in two scan modes, i.e., a scan for obtaining image information by visible light and a scan for obtaining image information by infrared light, and the scan for obtaining image information by visible light is made after the scan for obtaining image information by infrared light. Therefore, the capacity of the storage circuit required for the film image scanning apparatus which can obtain an image free from any dust or scratches can be minimized. 
   More specifically, the volume of dust/scratch range information on the film obtained by the infrared light scan is much smaller than that of image information obtained by the visible light scan. Hence, the infrared light scan is made prior to the visible light scan for obtaining the image information of the film, and the dust/scratch range information on the film obtained by this infrared light scan is stored in the storage circuit. After the image information of the film is obtained by the visible light scan, the dust/scratch range information stored in the storage circuit is read out, and image processing for correcting influences of dust and scratches on the image information of the film obtained by the visible light scan is done. For this reason, the storage capacity of the storage circuit can be greatly reduced compared to a case wherein the visible light scan is made prior to the infrared light scan, the image information of the film is stored in the storage circuit, the image information of the film stored in the storage circuit is read out after the infrared light scan, and the image processing for correcting influences of dust and scratches on the image information of the film obtained by the visible light scan is done. 
   A modification of the ninth embodiment described above will be explained using  FIG. 38 .  FIG. 38  is a flow chart in this modification for controlling the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 1 . In the following description, since reference numerals are common to those in the first embodiment as in the ninth embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
   This modification is effective for a film scanner having the same arrangement as that of the first embodiment, in which upon reciprocally moving the film carriage  1  by the motor  7  with respect to the line sensor  6 , hysteresis due to the reciprocal motion is very small, that is, two pieces of image information obtained by both movements (forward and backward movements) can be easily overlapped on each other upon capturing images by a movement of the film carriage  1  in a predetermined direction and by a movement in the reverse direction. 
   (Step S 371 ) Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via the input/output terminal  15 , the sensor  8  and sensor control circuit detect the position of the film carriage  1 , and that information is sent to the film scanner control circuit. The motor control circuit drives the motor  7  to set the film carriage  1  at a predetermined standby position, thus moving the film carriage  1  to the standby position. At the same time, the filter sensor  17  and filter sensor control circuit detect the position of the filter  10 , and that information is sent to the film scanner control circuit. In order to retract the filter  10  from the position on the optical axis  9 , the filter motor control circuit drives the filter motor  11  to move the filter  10  to its retracted position. 
   (Step S 372 ) The density sensor  16  and film density detection circuit detect the density of the film  2 . 
   (Step S 373 ) The motor drive speed determination circuit determines the drive speed of the motor  7  for a scan on the basis of the detected density information. 
   (Step S 374 ) The lamp control circuit turns on the lamp  3 . 
   (Step S 375 ) The motor control circuit rotates the motor  7  in a predetermined direction at the determined drive speed, thus scanning the film to obtain image information of the film  2  by infrared light. 
   (Step S 376 ) During the scan, the line sensor  6  sends image information to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit to detect the infrared light transmission state, i.e., a region on the film  2  where the transmittance of the infrared light is different from the remaining region by a predetermined value or more, thus detecting any dust/scratch range on the film  2 . 
   (Step S 377 ) The dust/scratch range information is sent to and stored in the image information storage circuit. 
   (Step S 378 ) Upon completion of the scan for obtaining the image information, i.e., the dust/scratch range information of the film  2  by infrared light, the filter motor control circuit drives the filter motor  11  to move the filter  10  to a position where it can cover a light beam having the optical axis  9  as the center while monitoring the position of the filter  10  by the filter sensor  17  and filter sensor control circuit. 
   (Step S 379 ) The motor control circuit rotates the motor  7  in the reverse direction at the previously determined drive speed, thus scanning the film to obtain image information of the film  2  by visible light. During this scan, the line sensor  6  sends image information to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit. 
   (Step S 380 ) Upon completion of this scan, the lamp control circuit turns off the lamp  3  and, at the same time, the image information storage circuit sends the dust/scratch range information to the image information processing circuit, which executes image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from the image information of the film  2  obtained by visible light. 
   (Step S 381 ) The image information is output from the input/output terminal  15 , thus ending film image scanning of the film scanner. 
   Note that the dust/scratch range information on the film  2  and the image information of the film  2  obtained by visible light may be separately output from the input/output terminal  15 , and a device (not shown) connected to the input/output terminal  15  may execute image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from the image information of the film  2  obtained by visible light. 
   Furthermore, an operation mode that skips the scan using infrared light, i.e., the scan for obtaining dust/scratch range information, and makes only a scan for obtaining image information of the film  2  by visible light may be provided as one of operation modes to be selected. With this mode, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to be scanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image is required, the time required for the image information processing for obtaining image information of the film  2  by visible light can be shortened by skipping the image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range of the image information of the film  2 . 
   (10th Embodiment) 
   The 10th embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 39 to 42 , and  FIGS. 8 to 10  used in the description of the third embodiment.  FIG. 39  is a flow chart in this embodiment for controlling the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 8 .  FIGS. 40 and 41  are graphs showing the spectral transmission characteristics of a physical device used in this embodiment in an infrared light transmission state, and  FIG. 42  is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics of a physical device used in this embodiment in an infrared light non-transmission state. 
   An image information scanning method of the film  32  will be described below with reference to the flow chart in  FIG. 39 . Note that reference numerals used in the following description are common to those in the third embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
   (Step S 401 ) Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via the input/output terminal  44 , the sensor  38  and sensor control circuit detect the position of the film carriage  31 , and that information is sent to the film scanner control circuit. The motor control circuit drives the motor  37  to set the film carriage  31  at a predetermined standby position, thus moving the film carriage  31  to the standby position. At the same time, the physical device control circuit sets the spectral transmission characteristics of the physical device  40  in the infrared light transmission state shown in  FIG. 40  or  41 . 
   (Step S 402 ) The lamp control circuit turns on the lamp  33 . 
   (Step S 403 ) The motor control circuit rotates the motor  37  in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed to scan the image range on the film  32  at the predetermined speed in the film surface direction, thus making a scan to obtain image information of the film  32  formed by infrared light. 
   (Step S 404 ) During the scan, the line sensor  36  sends image information to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit, and the image information processing circuit detects the infrared light transmission state, i.e., a region on the film  32  where the transmittance of the infrared light is different from the remaining region by a predetermined value or more, thus detecting any dust/scratch range on the film  32 . 
   (Step S 405 ) The detected dust/scratch range information is sent to and stored in the image information storage circuit. 
   (Step S 406 ) Upon completion of the scan for obtaining the image information, i.e., the dust/scratch range information of the film  32  by infrared light, the physical device control circuit sets the spectral transmission characteristics of the physical device  40  in the infrared light non-transmission state shown in  FIG. 42 . 
   (Step S 407 ) The motor control circuit rotates the motor  37  in the reverse direction at a predetermined drive speed, thus making a rough scan for obtaining image information of the film  32  by visible light. 
   (Step S 408 ) During this rough scan, the line sensor  36  sends image information to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit, and the film density detection circuit detects the light transmittance of the film  32 , i.e., the film density on the basis of this information. 
   (Step S 409 ) When the film carriage  31  returns to its standby position and the rough scan is complete, the motor drive speed determination circuit determines the motor drive speed for a fine scan on the basis of the detected film density of the entire film, so as to obtain an image with an appropriate amount of light. 
   (Step S 410 ) The motor control circuit rotates the motor  37  in a predetermined direction at the determined motor drive speed, thus making a fine scan. 
   (Step S 411 ) During this fine scan, the line sensor  36  sends image information to the image information processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit. Upon completion of image scanning for the fine scan, the motor control circuit rotates the motor  37  in the reverse direction at a predetermined drive speed to return the film carriage  31  to its standby position. 
   (Step S 412 ) Upon completion of the fine scan, the lamp control circuit turns off the lamp  33 , and at the same time, the image information storage circuit sends the dust/scratch range information to the image information processing circuit, which executes image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range of image information of the film  32  obtained by the fine scan (visible light). 
   (Step S 413 ) The image information is then output from the input/output terminal  44 , thus ending film image scanning of the film scanner. 
   Note that the dust/scratch range information on the film  32  and the image information of the film  32  obtained by visible light may be separately output from the input/output terminal  44 , and a device (not shown) connected to the input/output terminal  44  may execute image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from the image information of the film  32  obtained by visible light. 
   Also, the scan for obtaining image information of the film  32  by infrared light may be made during the reciprocal motion of the film carriage  31  in the fine scan in place of that of the film carriage  31  in the rough scan. In this case, the fine scan is made after the scan for obtaining image information of the film  32  by infrared light. 
   Furthermore, an operation mode that skips the infrared light scan and makes only a scan for obtaining image information of the film  32  by visible light may be provided as one of operation modes to be selected. With this mode, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to be scanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image is required, the time required for the image information processing for obtaining image information of the film  32  by visible light can be shortened by skipping the image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range of the image information of the film  32 . 
   (11th Embodiment) 
   The 11th embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to  FIG. 43 , and  FIGS. 31 to 33  used in the description of the eighth embodiment.  FIG. 43  is a flow chart in this embodiment for controlling the operation of the film scanner shown in  FIG. 31 . 
   An image information scanning method of the film  162  will be described below with reference to the flow chart in  FIG. 43 . Note that reference numerals used in the following description are the common to those in the eighth embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
   (Step S 451 ) Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via the input/output terminal  175 , the sensor  168  and sensor control circuit  178  detect the position of the film carriage  161 , and that information is sent to the film scanner control circuit  177 . The motor control circuit  179  drives the motor  167  to set the film carriage  161  at a predetermined standby position, thus moving the film carriage  161  to the standby position. 
   (Step S 452 ) The lamp unit control circuit  181  turns on the visible light emission section  163   a  of the lamp unit  163 . 
   (Step S 453 ) The motor control circuit  179  rotates the motor  167  in a predetermined direction at a predetermined drive speed, thus making a rough scan for obtaining image information of the film  102  by visible light. 
   (Step S 454 ) During this rough scan, the line sensor  166  sends image information to the image information processing circuit  180  via the line sensor control circuit  183 , and the film density detection circuit  184  detects the light transmittance of the film  162 , i.e., the film density, on the basis of that information. 
   (Step S 455 ) Upon completion of image scanning for the rough scan, the motor control circuit  179  rotates the motor  167  in the reverse direction at a predetermined drive speed, thus returning the film carriage  161  to its standby position and completing the rough scan. 
   (Step S 456 ) The lamp unit control circuit  181  turns off the visible light emission section  163   a  of the lamp unit  163 . 
   (Step S 457 ) The lamp unit control circuit  181  then turns on the infrared light emission section  163   b  of the lamp unit  163 . 
   (Step S 458 ) The motor control circuit  179  rotates the motor  167  in a predetermined direction at a predetermined drive speed, thus making a scan for obtaining image information of the film  162  by infrared light. 
   (Step S 459 ) During this scan, the line sensor  166  sends image information to the image information processing circuit  180  via the line sensor control circuit  183  to detect the infrared light transmission state, i.e., a region on the film  162  where the transmittance of the infrared light is different from the remaining region by a predetermined value or more, thus detecting any dust/scratch range on the film  162 . 
   (Step S 460 ) The dust/scratch range information is sent to and stored in the image information storage circuit  182 . 
   (Step S 461 ) Upon completion of the scan for obtaining the image information, i.e., the dust/scratch range information of the film  162  by infrared light, the lamp unit control circuit  181  turns off the infrared light emission section  163   b  of the lamp unit  163 . 
   (Step S 462 ) The motor drive speed determination circuit  185  determines the motor drive speed in a fine scan to obtain an image with an appropriate amount of light, on the basis of the film density of the entire film detected by the previous rough scan. 
   (Step S 463 ) The lamp unit control circuit  181  turns on the visible light emission section  163   a  of the lamp unit  163 . 
   (Step S 464 ) The motor control circuit  179  rotates the motor  167  in a predetermined direction at the determined drive speed to make a fine scan. During this fine scan, the line sensor  166  sends image information to the image information processing circuit  180  via the line sensor control circuit  183 . 
   (Step S 465 ) Upon completion of image scanning for the fine scan, the film carriage  161  returns to its standby position, thus completing the fine scan. 
   (Step S 466 ) The lamp unit control circuit  181  turns off the visible light emission section  163   a  of the lamp unit  163 , and at the same time, the image information storage circuit  182  sends the dust/scratch range information to the image information processing circuit  180 , which executes image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from image information of the film  162  obtained by the fine scan (visible light). 
   (Step S 467 ) The image information is then output from the input/output terminal  175 , thus ending film image scanning of the film scanner. 
   Note that the scan for obtaining image information of the film  162  by infrared light (infrared light scan) may be made during the process for returning the film carriage  161  to its standby position after the rough scan, in place of the aforementioned timing. 
   As in the above embodiments, the dust/scratch range information on the film  162  and the image information of the film  162  obtained by visible light may be separately output from the input/output terminal  175 , and the device (not shown) connected to the input/output terminal  175  may execute image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from the image information of the film  162  obtained by visible light. 
   Also, an operation mode that skips the infrared light scan and makes only a scan for obtaining image information of the film  162  by visible light may be provided as one of operation modes to be selected. With this mode, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to be scanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image is required, the time required for the image information processing for obtaining image information of the film  162  by visible light can be shortened by skipping the image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range of the image information of the film  162 . 
   The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained, but the objects of the present invention are also achieved by supplying a storage medium, which records a program code of a software program that can implement the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments to the system or apparatus, and reading out and executing the program code stored in the storage medium by a computer (or a CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus. 
   In this case, the program code itself read out from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments, and the storage medium which stores the program code constitutes the present invention. 
   As the storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, and the like may be used. 
   The functions of the above-mentioned embodiments may be implemented not only by executing the readout program code by the computer but also by some or all of actual processing operations executed by an OS running on the computer on the basis of an instruction of the program code. 
   Furthermore, the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments may be implemented by some or all of actual processing operations executed by a CPU or the like arranged in a function extension board or a function extension unit, which is inserted in or connected to the computer, after the program code read out from the storage medium is written in a memory of the extension board or unit. 
   As many apparently widely different embodiments of the present invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims.