Abstract:
Among users, there are two kinds of users, i.e., users who want to give priority to resolution and users who want to give priority to gradation, and reading modes desired by the respective users could not be provided by a single product. In the image reading apparatus having a light source for applying light to an image, moving means for moving a carriage unit including the light source, a CCD for converting reflected light into a voltage, an A/D converter for converting an analog signal outputted from the CCD into a digital signal, and a driving signal generating part for supplying a driving signal to the CCD and the A/D converter, the moving speed of the carriage unit is not changed, but there are held a plurality of kinds of signal patterns supplied by the driving signal generating part.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates to an image reading apparatus.  
           [0003]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0004]    The construction of a conventional image reading apparatus will hereinafter be described with reference to FIGS.  12  to  14  of the accompanying drawings.  
           [0005]    In FIG. 12, the reference numeral  1201  designates an image reading apparatus (hereinafter referred to as the image scanner) for reading an image, and the reference numeral  1202  denotes an auto document feeder (hereinafter referred to as the ADF) for automatically successively feeding a plurality of originals one by one.  
           [0006]    The reference numeral  1203  in the image scanner  1201  designates copy board glass, and an original  1204  is placed on the copy board glass  1203  and a desired image is read. The procedure of reading the image will hereinafter be described briefly.  
           [0007]    The reference numeral  1205  denotes a light source for applying light to the original, and generally when the read image is to be outputted in black and white, a yellow green light source is used, and when the read image is to be outputted in colors, a white light source is used. As the kinds of the light source, various kinds of light sources such as a cold cathode tube, a halogen lamp and a xenon lamp are used depending on the uses thereof.  
           [0008]    Reflected light  1206  applied from the light source  1205  to the original is reflected by a first mirror  1207 , a second mirror  1208  and a third mirror  1209 , is condensed by a lens unit  1210  and is imaged on a CCD  1211  which is a photoelectric conversion element.  
           [0009]    The light information of the imaged light is converted into a voltage by the CCD  1211 , is further converted from an analog signal to a digital signal, and thereafter is subjected to a series of correcting processes such as shading correction, black level correction and gamma correction, and is outputted to a monitor, a file or the like.  
           [0010]    The constituents from the light source  1205  to the CCD  1211  are constituted as a carriage unit  1212  by a unit. A reading optical system thus containing the constituents of the optical system in a carriage unit, if dimensional accuracy in the carriage unit  1212  is controlled, has the merit that the quality of the read image is not spoiled even if other dimensional accuracy is not finely controlled.  
           [0011]    Also, the reference numeral  1213  designates a white reference plate constructed at a location which cannot be seen from an original placing surface, and upon closing of a power source switch or at the timing immediately before image reading, the light source  1205  is turned on and the white reference plate  1213  is read to thereby detect the offset gain adjustment of an A/D converter (not shown) for converting the analog voltage photoelectrically converted by the CCD  1211  into a digital voltage, and the trouble of the light source  1205 .  
           [0012]    As the popular construction of another reading optical system, there is a 1 to ½ optical system shown in FIG. 13. This reading optical system is of a construction in which a first optical unit  1301  including a light source  1205  and a first mirror  1207 , and a second optical unit  1302  including a second mirror  1208  and a third mirror  1209  are movable units, and a lens unit  1210  and a CCD  1211  are fixed. Since the moving speeds of the first optical unit  1301  and the second optical unit  1302  are designed to be {fraction (1:1/2)}, this reading optical system is called the 1 to ½ optical system. By being designed at such a speed ratio, the distance from a reading position to the CCD is always constant at a+L1+L2+b. This reading optical system has a merit in depth of focus because the distance between an object and an image can be secured long, while on the other hand it becomes necessary to sufficiently control the dimensional accuracy of the entire scanner.  
           [0013]    The carriage unit  1212  or the first optical unit  1301  and the second optical unit  1302  are one-dimensional reading units which can read an image of a predetermined width (84.7 μm at 300 dpi). A one-dimensional image read thereby can be read as the two-dimensional image of the entire original by connecting together images one-dimensionally read while the carriage unit  1212 , the first optical unit  1301  and the second optical unit  1302  are moved by a motor (not shown). After the image of the entire original has been read, it is outputted to a personal computer or a monitor or the like.  
           [0014]    As described above, an original like a photograph which cannot be bent, a thick original such as a book, or an original to be read with a high quality of image usually has its image read while being place on the copy board glass. On the other hand, for the reading of a plurality of original sheets, there has been carried out a method of collectively reading images by the use of the ADF  1202 . It should be noted that in some cases, the carriage unit  1212  is constituted by a CIS module.  
           [0015]    The reference numeral  1214  denotes an ADF open detection sensor for detecting whether the ADF  1202  is opened or not.  
           [0016]    The detailed construction of the ADF  1202  will now be described with reference to the construction view of FIG. 14.  
           [0017]    The reference numeral  1401  designates an original tray for stacking originals  1402  thereon, and the originals  1402  are stacked on the original tray  1401  with images to be read facing upward. The reference numeral  1403  denotes a sheet presence or absence detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the originals  1402  on the original tray  1401 , and it is designed to use a photointerrupter and a mechanical flag to detect the state thereof. When the start of reading is executed with the originals  1402  stacked on the original tray  1401 , a conveying roller  1404  is driven for only one full rotation by a solenoid, and only one of the originals is conveyed into the conveying path of the ADF  1202 . The thus conveyed original  1402  is formed into a predetermined loop by a registration roller  1405 , and the leading edge of the original  1402  conveyed into the ADF  1202  is detected by a leading edge detection sensor  1406 . The reference numeral  1407  designates a photointerrupter which is an original leading edge detection sensor, and it is linked with the leading edge detection sensor  1406  by a mechanical flag, and design is made such that the leading edge of the original  1402  pushes out the mechanical flag, whereby the photointerrupter  1407  is shielded from light. The original  1402  is further conveyed into the interior of the ADF  1202  along the circumference of an original roller  1409  while being nipped between a first conveying roller  1408  and the original roller  1409  and between a supporting unit  1410  and the original roller  1409 , and the reading of the image of the original  1302  is started at the timing whereat the original  1402  arrives at Mylar  1411 . This timing is judged in a predetermined time after the leading edge detection sensor  1406  has detected the leading edge of the original, or if a stepping motor is used as the motor, by predetermined pulses having elapsed after the leading edge sensor  1406  has detected the leading edge of the original.  
           [0018]    The original  1402  of which the image has been read from the leading edge is delivered onto a discharging tray  1413  by a second conveying roller  1412 , and the reading of the first original is terminated.  
           [0019]    The second and subsequent originals are fed in a predetermined time after the leading edge detection sensor  1406  has detected the leading edge of the original  1402 , or if a stepping motor is used as a drive source for conveying sheets, a solenoid is driven at such timing that they are fed after the lapse of predetermined pulses, and the above-described control is continued until the sheet presence or absence detection sensor  1403  comes to detect no original on the original tray  1401 .  
           [0020]    Also, if there is no change in the result of detection even when a predetermined time has elapsed after the leading edge detection sensor  1406  has detected the leading edge of the original  1402 , control is effected so that it may be treated as jam.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0021]    In the above-described conventional example, a reading mode conforming to the moving speed of the carriage is primarily determined, and users&#39; broad needs could not be coped with completely. For example, among the users there are two kinds of users, i.e., users who want to give priority to resolution, and users who want to give priority to gradation, and reading modes desired by respective users could not be provided by a single product. An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem of the conventional example.  
           [0022]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus having:  
           [0023]    a light source for applying light to an image;  
           [0024]    moving means for moving a unit including at least the light source;  
           [0025]    photoelectric converting means for converting the reflected light of the light source applied to an original into a voltage;  
           [0026]    analog-digital converting means for converting an analog signal outputted from the photoelectric converting means into a digital signal; and  
           [0027]    a driving signal generating part for supplying a driving signal to the photoelectric converting means and the analog-digital converting means;  
           [0028]    wherein the moving speed of the moving means is not changed, but there are held a plurality of kinds of signal patterns supplied by the driving signal generating part.  
           [0029]    A further object of the present invention also provides an image reading apparatus having:  
           [0030]    a light source for applying light to an image;  
           [0031]    moving means for moving a unit including at least the light source;  
           [0032]    photoelectric converting means for converting the reflected light of the light source applied to an original into a voltage;  
           [0033]    analog-digital converting means for converting an analog signal outputted from the photoelectric converting means into a digital signal; and  
           [0034]    a plurality of amplifying means for amplifying a signal outputted from the analog-digital converting means;  
           [0035]    wherein switch means is provided in the power source supplying part of predetermined one of the amplifying means, and a switch is ON/OFF-controlled in conformity with a reading mode.  
           [0036]    Other objects, constructions and effects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0037]    [0037]FIG. 1 shows the construction of an image reading apparatus for illustrating a first embodiment.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 2 is an electrical block diagram of the image reading apparatus for illustrating the first embodiment.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 3 is an electrical block diagram of a scanner control part for illustrating the first embodiment.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 4 is an electrical block diagram of the peripheral part of a CCD for illustrating the first embodiment.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 5 is a timing chart of a gradation priority mode for illustrating the first embodiment.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 6 is a timing chart of the gradation priority mode for illustrating the first embodiment.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 7 shows the construction of an image reading apparatus for illustrating a second embodiment.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 8 is an electrical block diagram of the image reading apparatus for illustrating the second embodiment.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 9 is an electrical block diagram of a scanner control part for illustrating the second embodiment.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 10 is an electrical block diagram of the surrounding parts of a CCD for illustrating the second embodiment.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 11 is an electrical block diagram of an ADC output part for illustrating the second embodiment.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 12 shows the construction of an integral optical system in an image reading apparatus for illustrating the conventional type of the apparatus.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 13 shows the construction of a 1 to ½ optical system in the image reading apparatus for illustrating the conventional type of the apparatus.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 14 shows the construction of an ADF in the image reading apparatus for illustrating the conventional type of the apparatus. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0051]    (First Embodiment)  
         [0052]    A first embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to FIGS.  1  to  4 . In this embodiment, the same constituents as those in the example of the prior art are given the same reference numerals.  
         [0053]    In FIG. 1, the reference numeral  1201  designates an image scanner for reading an image, and the reference numeral  1202  denotes an ADF for automatically successively conveying a plurality of originals one by one.  
         [0054]    The reference numeral  1203  in the image scanner designates copy board glass, and an original  1204  is placed on the copy board glass  1203  and a desired image is read. The procedure of reading the image will hereinafter be described briefly.  
         [0055]    The reference numeral  1205  denotes a light source for applying light to the original, and generally when the read image is to be outputted in black and white, a yellow green light source is used, and when the read image is to be outputted in colors, a white light source is used. As the kinds of the light source, various kinds of light sources such as a cold cathode tube, a halogen lamp and a xenon lamp are used depending on the uses thereof.  
         [0056]    Reflected light  1206  applied from the light source  1205  to the original  1204  is reflected by a first mirror  1207 , a second mirror  1208  and a third mirror  1209 , is condensed by a lens unit  1210  and is imaged on a CCD  1211  which is a photoelectric conversion element. The optical information of the imaged light is converted into a voltage by the CCD  1211 , is further converted from an analog signal into a digital signal, and is subjected to a series of correcting processes such as shading correction, black level correction and gamma correction.  
         [0057]    The one-dimensional information of the original  1204  read in this manner is sequentially read while a carriage unit  1212  is moved in the sub-scanning direction of the original by a motor (not shown), whereby it is connected together as two-dimensional information, and the entire original is read.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 2 is an electrical block diagram of the image scanner described with reference to FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the reference numeral  201  designates a scanner control part which governs the control of an image reading system, and the reference numeral  202  denotes an image control part which governs various kinds of correction control such as shading correction and gamma correction, communication control with an external output apparatus such as a personal computer, and the control of an operation part  203  for a user to effect various kinds of setting, on the basis of an image signal transmitted from the scanner control part  201 . FIG. 3 is a finer block diagram of the scanner control part  201 , and in FIG. 3, the reference numeral  1201  designates the image scanner, the reference numeral  1202  denotes the ADF, and by what elements each of these is constituted is shown. The reference numeral  301  designates a CPU which governs the control of the entire electrical system of the image scanner  1201 , and the CPU  301  has connected thereto an inverter  302  for boosting a DC voltage to control the turning-on the light source  1205  for applying light to the original  1204 , and further converting the DC voltage into an AC voltage, a driver  304  for a motor  303  for moving a unit including the light source  1205  to thereby move the position of the light applied to the original  1204 , a home position sensor  305  for detecting the reference position of the unit including the light source  1205 , a driving signal generating part  307  for outputting a driving signal to the CCD  1211  for converting the reflected light applied from the light source  1205  to the original into a voltage and an A/D converter  306  for converting an analog voltage outputted from the CCD  1211  into a digital signal, an opening and closing detection sensor  1214  for detecting the opening and closing of the ADF  1202 , and a driver  309  for the conveying motor  308  of the ADF  1202 . In the ADF  1202 , there are mounted an original detection sensor  310  for detecting the presence or absence of the original, the conveying motor  308 , a solenoid  311  which provides a clutch for feeding originals one by one, and a leading edge detection sensor  312  for detecting the leading edge of the fed original, and these electrical parts in the ADF  1202  are also connected to and controlled by the CPU  301  in the image scanner  1201 . Further, the CPU  301  introduces thereinto the image signal outputted from and converted into a voltage by the A/D converter  306 , and transmits the image signal to the image control part  202  in synchronism with various kinds of timing signals.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 4 is a block diagram for illustrating the constructions of the CCD  1211 , the A/D converter  306  and the driving signal generating part  307  in greater detail.  
         [0060]    The CPU  301  effects serial communication with the driving signal generating part  307 , and the setting of a reading mode selected by the user is transmitted from the CPU  301  to the driving signal generating part  307 , which in turn transmits a driving signal conforming to the reading mode to the CCD  1211  and the A/D converter  306 . Also, the driving signal generating part  307  stores black level/white level data transmitted from the A/D converter  306  in a memory in the driving signal generating part  307 , and transmits the data stored in this memory to the CPU  301 . The CPU  301  calculates the offset set in the A/D converter  306  and a gain value on the basis of the black level/white level data transmitted from the driving signal generating part  307 , and transmits them to the A/D converter  306 .  
         [0061]    The driving signal transmitted from the driving signal generating part  307  to the CCD  1211  and the A/D converter  306  assumes such timing as shown in FIG. 5. CK is a reference clock supplied to the driving signal generating part  307 , φ1 and φ2 are the charge transmitting clocks of the CCD  1211 , and  1 RS is the reset clock of the CCD  1211 . Also, AD_CK is the driving clock of the A/D converter  306 , CK 1  is a clock for sampling the reference level of the signal outputted from the CCD  1211 , and CK 2  is a clock for sampling the signal component of the signal outputted from the CCD  1211 . Driving waveforms shown here are waveforms in a reading mode giving priority to resolution, and it is a feature of the present embodiment that besides this reading mode, a reading mode giving priority to gradation is set.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 6 shows driving waveforms in the reading mode giving priority to gradation.  
         [0063]    In FIG. 6, as compared with FIG. 5, it is seen that each driving waveform is a half relative to the frequency of the mode giving priority to resolution. Thus, again in the mode giving priority to gradation, the speed of the motor for moving the carriage is set to the same speed as in the mode giving priority to resolution, and the frequency of the clock supplied to the CCD and the A/D converter is set to a half in the mode giving priority to gradation relative to the mode giving priority to resolution, whereby the resolution in the sub-scanning direction in the mode giving priority to gradation becomes a half as compared with that in the mode giving priority to resolution. The resolution in the main scanning direction is uniformly determined by the resolving power of the CCD and is therefore invariable. Accordingly, if the resolution in the mode giving priority to resolution is 600 dpi in the main scanning direction and 600 dpi also in the sub-scanning direction, the resolution in the mode giving priority to gradation will be 600 dpi in the main scanning direction and 300 dpi in the sub-scanning direction.  
         [0064]    On the other hand, when the reading speed in the sub-scanning direction is not changed but the resolution alone is changed to a half, an accumulation time for each pixel of the CCD becomes double. The fact that the accumulation time becomes double means that theoretically S/N also becomes double, and thus gradation increases by 1 bit.  
         [0065]    As described above, by setting a reading mode in which the speed of the carriage for reading an image is not changed but the frequency of a clock supplied from the driving signal generating part to the CCD and the A/D converter is decreased to a half, it becomes possible to realize a reading mode giving priority to gradation. While in the present embodiment, description has been made of a case where the frequency of the clock supplied from the driving signal generating part to the CCD and the A/D converter is decreased to a half, of course a similar effect can be obtained even if the ratio of this frequency is decreased to ⅓, ¼ or {fraction (1/2.5)}.  
         [0066]    (Second Embodiment)  
         [0067]    In the first embodiment, a reading mode giving priority to gradation has been realized by setting a reading mode in which the speed of the carriage for reading an image is not changed but the frequency of the clock supplied from the driving signal generating part to the CCD and the A/D converter is decreased to a half. The present embodiment is characterized in that attention is paid to a data width necessary for each of the mode giving priority to gradation and the mode giving priority to resolution, and when a driver at the rear stage of the A/D converter is unnecessary in the mode giving priority to resolution, the supply of electric power to the driver is cut off by switch means.  
         [0068]    A second embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to FIGS.  7  to  9 . In this embodiment, the same constituents as those in the example of the prior art and the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals.  
         [0069]    In FIG. 7, the reference numeral  1201  designates an image scanner for reading an image, and the reference numeral  1202  denotes an ADF for automatically successively conveying a plurality of originals one by one.  
         [0070]    The reference numeral  1203  in the image scanner  1201  designates copy board glass, and an original  1204  is placed on the copy board glass  1203  and a desired image is read. The procedure of reading the image will hereinafter be described briefly.  
         [0071]    The reference numeral  1205  denotes a light source for applying light to the original, and generally when the read image is to be outputted in black and white, a yellow green light source is used, and when the read image is to be outputted in colors, a white light source is used. As the kinds of the light source, various kinds of light sources such as a cold cathode tube, a halogen lamp and a xenon lamp, depending on the uses thereof.  
         [0072]    Reflected light  1206  applied from the light source  1205  to the original  1204  is reflected by a first mirror  1207 , a second mirror  1208  and a third mirror  1209 , is condensed by a lens unit  1210  and is imaged on a CCD  1211  which is a photoelectric conversion element. The optical information of the imaged light is converted into a voltage by the CCD  1211 , if further converted from an analog signal into a digital signal, and is subjected to a series of correcting processes such as shading correction, black level correction and gamma correction. The one-dimensional information of the original  1204  read in this manner is sequentially read while a carriage unit  1212  is moved in the sub-scanning direction of the original by a motor (not shown) and is thereby connected together as two-dimensional information, and the entire original is read.  
         [0073]    [0073]FIG. 8 is an electrical block diagram of the image scanner described with reference to FIG. 7. In FIG. 8, the reference numeral  201  designates a scanner control part which governs the control of an image reading system, and the reference numeral  202  denotes an image control part which governs various kinds of correction control such as shading correction and gamma correction and communication control with an external output apparatus such as a personal computer, and the control of an operation part  203  for the user to effect various kinds of setting, on the basis of an image signal transmitted from the scanner control part  1 . FIG. 9 is a finer block diagram of the scanner control part  201  of FIG. 8, and in FIG. 9, the reference numeral  1201  designates the image scanner, and the reference numeral  1202  denotes the ADF, and by what elements each of these is constituted is shown. The reference numeral  301  designates a CPU which governs the control of the entire electrical system of the image scanner, and the CPU  301  has connected thereto an inverter  302  for boosting a DC voltage and further converting it into an AC voltage to control the turning-on of the light source  1205  for applying light to the original, a driver  304  for a motor  303  for moving a unit including the light source  1205  to thereby move the position of the light applied to the original, a home position sensor  305  for detecting the reference position of the unit including the light source  1205 , a driving signal generating part  307  for outputting a driving signal to the CCD  1211  for converting the reflected light applied from the light source  1205  to the original and an A/D converter  306  for converting an analog voltage outputted from the CCD  1211  into a digital voltage, an opening and closing detection sensor  1214  for detecting the opening and closing of the ADF  1202 , and a driven  309  for the conveying motor  308  of the ADF  202 . Also, in the ADF  1202 , there are mounted an original detection sensor  310  for detecting the presence or absence of the original, the conveying motor  308 , a solenoid  311  which provides a clutch for feeding originals one by one, and a leading edge detection sensor  312  for detecting the leading edge of the fed original, and each of these electrical parts in the ADF  1202  is also connected to and controlled by the CPU  301  in the image scanner  1201 . Further, the CPU  301  introduces thereinto an image signal outputted from the A/D converter  306  and converted into a voltage, and transmits the image signal to the image control part  202  in synchronism with various kinds of timing signals.  
         [0074]    [0074]FIG. 10 is a block diagram for illustrating the constructions of the CCD  1211 , the A/D converter  306  and the driving signal generating part  307  in greater detail.  
         [0075]    The CPU  301  effects serial communication with the driving signal generating part  307 , and the setting of a reading mode is transmitted from the CPU 301  to the driving signal generating part  307 , which in turn transmits a driving signal conforming to the reading mode to the CCD  1211  and the A/D converter  306 . Also, the driving signal generating part  307  stores black level/white level data transmitted from the A/D converter  306  in a memory in the driving signal generating part  307 , and effects the calculation of the average value of the optical black portion image data of the CCD  1211  and the holding of the peak value of effective pixel range data on the basis the aforementioned black level/white level data, and transmits the result thereof to the CPU  301 . The CPU  301  calculates the offset set in the A/D converter  306  and a gain value on the basis of the data transmitted from the driving signal generating part  307 , and transmits them to the A/D converter  306 .  
         [0076]    [0076]FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the flow of the data of the scanner control part and the image processing part. In FIG. 11, an area encircled by broken line is the scanner control part  201 , and data conforming to the image signal is outputted from the A/D converter  306  mounted in the scanner control part  201 , and is usually outputted in parallel as shown. The data outputted from the A/D converter  306  is once inputted to drivers  1101  and  1102 , and is further outputted to the image control part (not shown).  
         [0077]    Here, when the mode giving priority to gradation handles 9-bit data, the mode giving priority to resolution handles 8-bit or less data, and when the operation is going on in the mode giving priority to resolution, the driven  1102  becomes unnecessary. Therefore, switch means  1103  is provided in the power supply line of the driver to control so that during the mode giving priority to gradation, the switch may be brought into ON state to thereby supply the power source of the driver, and during the mode giving priority to resolution, the switch may be brought into OFF state to thereby cut off the power source of the driver.  
         [0078]    As described above, the switch means is provided in the power supply line of the driver to control so that during the mode giving priority to gradation, the switch may be brought into ON state to thereby supply the power source of the driver, and during the mode giving priority to resolution, the switch may be brought into OFF state to thereby cut off the power source of the driver, whereby a consumed electric current in each reading mode can be optimally controlled.  
         [0079]    As has hitherto been described, an aspect of the image reading apparatus is an image reading apparatus having a light source for applying light to an image, moving means for moving a unit including at least the light source, photoelectric converting means for converting the reflected light of the light source applied to an original into a voltage, analog-digital converting means for converting an analog signal outputted from the photoelectric converting means into a digital signal, and a driving signal generating part for supplying a driving signal to the photoelectric converting means and the analog-digital converting means, characterized in that the moving speed of the moving means is not changed, but there are held a plurality of kinds of signal patterns supplied by the driving signal generating part, and a single product can cope with the needs of a user demanding the priority of resolution and a user demanding the priority of gradation.  
         [0080]    Another aspect of the image reading apparatus is an image reading apparatus having a light source for applying light to an image, moving means for moving a unit including at least the light source, photoelectric converting means for converting the reflected light of the light source applied to an original into a voltage, analog-digital converting means for converting an analog signal outputted from the photoelectric converting means into a digital signal, and a plurality of amplifying means for amplifying a signal outputted from the analog-digital converting means, characterized in that switch means is provided in the power source supplying part of predetermined one of the amplifying means, and a switch is ON/OFF-controlled in conformity with a reading mode, and optimum electric power consumption conforming to image data becomes possible.  
         [0081]    While the present invention has been described above with respect to some preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not restricted to these embodiments, but it is apparent that various modifications and applications are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.