Patent Publication Number: US-2009219583-A1

Title: Image reading apparatus and image reading system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to an image reading apparatus that scans medium and reads image of read range, and relates to an image reading system comprising the image reading apparatus; especially, relates to an image reading apparatus and an image reading system that can read image of plural read range by scanning once. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In recent years, scanner is popularized as an image reading apparatus and is widely used as a peripheral apparatus of personal computer (PC). 
     If an image reading system which comprises an upper apparatus such as PC and an image reading apparatus, the upper apparatus sets a read range for performing reading process and sets read condition such as resolution, color mode and the like on the basis of designation of user. Then, the image reading apparatus scans manuscript of reading object and performs reading process with respect to the read range on the basis of the read condition which is set, and then obtains an image. The obtained image is input to the upper apparatus and is stored in the upper apparatus. User can use the image reading system to read out image of desired articles from manuscript such as newspaper and magazines and the like, and to store the image. 
     On the one hand, in this kind of image reading system, in the case to read out images of plural read ranges from a sheet of manuscript and store the image, the image reading apparatus must repeat the scan of whole manuscript with respect to each read range designated, so there is a problem that it is necessary to spend time. 
     On the other hand, in a patent document 1 mentioned below, in order to reduce resolution of scanner itself, such technology of scan method is disclosed to set a read range with performing selection and a read range without performing selection; through reading image of regions of plural read ranges with performing selection but not reading the read range without performing selection in once scan, to reduce resolution and increase speed. 
     Patent document 1: Japan patent publication of No. Hei2000-307815 
     However, when the technology stated in patent document 1 is used, because setting of the scanner itself is changed, a reading section of the scanner becomes to read all images to be outputted in a same setting. Therefore, in the conventional technology, different read condition could not be designated with respect to the plural read ranges that are read respectively by the reading section of the scanner whose position with manuscript is changed in once scan. 
     Therefore, an image reading apparatus and an image reading system are desirable that can perform a reading process on the basis of different read condition with respect to each read range, even if moving back and forth the reading section several times with respect to the manuscript so as to change the position of the reading section. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system that can solve the above problem. 
     A first aspect of the invention is to provide an image reading apparatus for reading an image from medium, the image reading apparatus comprises an inputting section that inputs respective range information for designating plural read ranges with respect to the medium, and inputs designation condition information for designating read conditions corresponding to respective read ranges; a storing section that stores the input range information and the input designation condition information; a reading section that reads image of the read range from the medium on the basis of the range information and the designation condition information, while physically moving position of itself with respect to the medium; and a controlling section that reads out the range information and the designation condition information that correspond to respective read ranges from the storing section, instructs the reading section to physically move position with respect to the medium, sets the reading section on the basis of position information with respect to the medium about the reading section, the range information and the designation condition information, and executes a read of image of the read range. 
     A second aspect of the invention is to provide an image reading system which comprises an upper apparatus; and an image reading apparatus which is connected with the upper apparatus and is used for reading image from medium, wherein the upper apparatus includes an inputting section that inputs respective range information for designating plural read ranges with respect to the medium, and inputs designation condition information for designating read conditions corresponding to respective read ranges; and an upper sending section that sends the range information and the designation condition information that are input to the image reading apparatus, wherein the image reading apparatus includes a receiving section that receives the range information and the designation condition information from the upper apparatus; a storing section that stores the received range information and the received designation condition information; a reading section that reads image of the read range from the medium on the basis of the range information and the designation condition information, while physically moving position of itself with respect to the medium; and a controlling section that reads out the range information and the designation condition information that correspond to respective read ranges from the storing section, instructs the reading section to physically move position with respect to the medium, sets the reading section of the basis of position information with respect to the medium about the reading section, the range information and the designation condition information, and executes a read of image of the read range. 
     The Effect of the Present Invention: 
     According to the image reading apparatus and the image reading system of the present invention; read conditions are set respectively with respect to respective read ranges; and a read order of respective read ranges is designated; according to the read order, reading process of image of read range is performed on the basis of the read condition which is set. Therefore, even though scan of the medium is not repeated, because it is possible to read images of plural read ranges respectively on the basis of desired read conditions, so efficient reading process can be realized. 
     The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a structure of a scanner system in embodiment 1 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a compendium structure of a scanner system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a first explanation diagram showing a designation example of read range in manuscript image (I); 
         FIG. 3B  is a first explanation diagram showing a designation example of read range in manuscript image (II); 
         FIG. 4  is an explanation diagram showing an example of a read condition setting scene; 
         FIG. 5A  is a first explanation diagram showing a structure of a setting storing section in embodiment 1; 
         FIG. 5B  is a second explanation diagram showing a structure of a setting storing section in embodiment 1; 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart for explaining pre-scan operation of a scanner of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart for explaining read range designation operation of host PC; 
         FIG. 8  is a first flow chart for explaining setting read operation in embodiment 1 of scanner of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a second flow chart for explaining setting read operation in embodiment 1 of scanner of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram showing a structure of a scanner system in embodiment 2 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11A  is a second explanation diagram showing a designation example of read range in manuscript image (I); 
         FIG. 11B  is a second explanation diagram showing a designation example of read range in manuscript image (II); 
         FIG. 12A  is a first explanation diagram showing a structure of setting storing section in embodiment 2; 
         FIG. 12B  is a second explanation diagram showing a structure of setting storing section in embodiment 2; 
         FIG. 12C  is a third explanation diagram showing a structure of setting storing section in embodiment 2; 
         FIG. 13A  is a first explanation diagram showing a setting example of prior read range; 
         FIG. 13B  is a second explanation diagram showing a setting example of prior read range; 
         FIG. 13C  is a third explanation diagram showing a setting example of prior read range; 
         FIG. 14  is a first flow chart for explaining setting operation in embodiment 2 of scanner of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a second flow chart for explaining setting operation in embodiment 2 of scanner of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a first flow chart for explaining read operation in embodiment 2 of scanner of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a second flow chart for explaining read operation in embodiment 2 of scanner of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a first flow chart for explaining change sending operation in embodiment 2 of scanner of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a second flow chart for explaining change sending operation an embodiment 2 of scanner of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a block diagram showing a structure of a scanner system in embodiment 3 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 21  is a first flow chart for explaining read sending operation in embodiment 3 of scanner of the present invention; 
         FIG. 22  is a second flow chart for explaining read sending operation in embodiment 3 of scanner of the present invention; 
         FIG. 23  is a first flow chart for explaining change operation in embodiment 3 of scanner system of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 24  is a second flow chart for explaining change operation in embodiment 3 of scanner system of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the invention will be described in detail hereinbelow with reference to the drawings. 
     Embodiment 1 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a compendium structure of a scanner system of the present invention. 
     A scanner  11  of the embodiment, as shown by  FIG. 2 , is connected to host PC  12  so as to form a scanner system  10 . Through using the scanner system  10 , it is possible to read images of plural read ranges from a manuscript  13  such as newspaper and magazine and the like, and to store these images. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a structure of a scanner system in embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
     The scanner system  10 , as shown by  FIG. 1 , comprises a scanner  11  as an image reading apparatus and a host PC  12  as an upper apparatus. A connection method between the scanner  11  and the host PC  12  may be any of USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection and parallel connection and the like. 
     The host PC  12  is formed from a personal computer (PC), as shown by  FIG. 1 , comprises a displaying section  14 , a selecting and inputting section  15 , a PC communicating section  16 , a PC storing section  17  and a PC controlling section  18 . 
     The displaying section  14  is formed from a displayer in this embodiment, and is used for displaying information. 
     The selecting and inputting section  15  is composed of a keyboard and a mouse in this embodiment, and has an inputting function as an inputting section. The selecting and inputting section  15  is used to make user designate or select with respect to information which is displayed on the displaying section  14 . 
     Information displayed on the displaying section  14  is the image, that is, manuscript image which is obtained by pre-scanning, for example, manuscript  13 . With respect to the manuscript image, user can designate desired read ranges by operating the selecting and inputting section  15 . 
       FIG. 3A  is a first explanation diagram showing a designation example of read range in manuscript image (I); and  FIG. 3B  is a first explanation diagram showing a designation example of read range in manuscript image (II). 
     In this embodiment, the scanner  11 , as shown by  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B , obtains a manuscript image  30  of rectangular shape. User can designate plural rectangular regions respectively as read ranges in the manuscript image  30  which is displayed on the displaying section  14 , through operating the selecting and inputting section  15 . Two rectangular regions  31 - 1  and  31 - 2  are shown in  FIG. 3A  as a designation example of read range in the manuscript image  30 . 
     The selecting and inputting section  15 , when rectangular region is designated as a read range in the manuscript image  30  on the basis of user&#39;s operation, inputs coordinate values of two top points “a” and “c”, i.e. coordinate “a” (x a , y a ) and coordinate “c” (x c , y c ) in 4 top points a, b, c, d of rectangular region as range information that represents respective read ranges based on designation, into the PC controlling section  18 . In this embodiment, when the coordinate value of top point b, i.e. coordinate “b” (x b , y b ) and the coordinate value of top point d, i.e. coordinate “d” (x d , y d ) are designated, in order to meet x a =x d &lt;x b =x c  and y a =y b &lt;y c =y d , coordinate “a”, coordinate “b”, coordinate “c”, coordinate “d” are selected. 
     Moreover, in the manuscript image  30  ( FIG. 3A ), coordinate value of (x, y) is obtained by regarding top point  30   a  of the manuscript image  30  as origin, regarding a direction connecting top point  30   a  with top point  30   b  as X axis, and regarding a direction connecting top point  30   a  with top point  30 d as Y axis. Moreover, the X axis corresponds to main scan direction in the scanner  11 , and the Y axis corresponds to the auxiliary scan direction in the scanner  11 . 
     For example, when the rectangular region  31 - 1  ( FIG. 3A ) is designated as a read range, the selecting and inputting section  15  inputs respective coordinate values (x a1 , y a1 ) and (x c1 , y c1 ) of the two top points  31   a - 1  and  31   c - 1  in 4 top points of  31   a - 1 ,  31   b - 1 ,  31   c - 1  and  31   d - 1  in the rectangular region  31 - 1  as coordinate “a” and coordinate “c”. 
     Further, information displayed on the displaying section  14  is read condition information which is composed of designation resolution information and designation color mode information. User can select desired resolution and color mode by operating the selecting and inputting section  15 . 
       FIG. 4  an explanation diagram showing a structure of a setting storing section in embodiment 1. 
     The read condition setting scene  32 , as shown by  FIG. 4 , comprises a resolution selecting region  33  which can display a list of resolution that is possible to select and a color mode selection region  34  which can display a list of color mode that is possible to select. Further, in the read condition setting scene  32 , an “OK” button  35  is displayed to request a setting of read condition information. 
     In this embodiment, in the read condition setting scene  32 , it is possible to select any resolution of 100 dpi (dot/inch), 200 dpi, 300 dpi, 400 dpi, 500 dpi and 600 dpi. User, through operating the selecting and inputting section  15 , selects a desired resolution to display it on the resolution selecting region  33 . 
     Further, in this embodiment, in the read condition setting scene  32 , it is possible to select any color mode of monochrome, gray scale and color. User selects a desired resolution to display it on the color mode selection region  34  through operating the selecting and inputting section  15 . 
     In the read condition setting scene  32 , after resolution and color mode that correspond to each read range are selected, when the “OK” button  35  is pressed, the selecting and inputting  15  inputs the resolution which is displayed on the resolution selecting region  33  as designation resolution information, and inputs color mode which is displayed on the color mode selecting region  34  as designation color mode information respectively. The designation resolution information and the designation color mode information that are input, are sent to the PC controlling section  18 . 
     For example, in the read condition setting scene  32  as shown by  FIG. 4 , when the “OK” button  35  is pressed, the selecting and inputting section  15  inputs designation resolution information “100 dpi” and designation color mode information “monochrome” to the PC controlling section  18 . 
     Furthermore, the selecting and inputting section  15  inputs a read request for requesting the scanner to execute a reading process of image, to the PC controlling section  18 . 
     The PC communicating section  16  has a function of performing a sending and receiving of data with the scanner  11 , as an upper sending section and an upper receiving section. The PC communicating section  16  receives image data from the scanner  11  and then sends image data to the PC controlling section  18 . Further, the PC communicating section  16  receives the coordinate “a” and the coordinate “c”, the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information that correspond to the read range, from the PC controlling section  18 , and then sends them to the scanner  11 . 
     The PC storing section  17  stores image data received from the scanner  11  on the basis of control of the PC controlling section  18 . 
     The PC controlling section  18  performs control of respective sections mentioned above. 
     The scanner  11 , as shown by  FIG. 1 , comprises a scanner communicating section  19 , a loading section  20 , a detecting section  21 , a reading section  22 , an image storing section  23 , a setting storing section  24 , a designating section  25  and a scanner controlling section  26 . 
     The scanner communicating section  19  performs sending and receiving of data with the host PC  12  as a sending section and a receiving section. The scanner communicating section  19  receives the coordinate “a”, the coordinate “c”, the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information, and then sends them to the scanner controlling section  26 . Further, the scanner communicating section  19  receives image data from the scanner controlling section  26 , and then sends it to the host PC  12 . 
     The loading section  20 , in this embodiment, is formed from plate glass which is placed on the underside of manuscript cover  11   a  ( FIG. 2 ), and is a load stand on which manuscript  13  of reading object is loaded. 
     The detecting section  21  is formed from a sensor, detects the manuscript  13  which is loaded on the loading section  20 , and sends detection signal representing a detection to the scanner controlling section  26 . 
     The reading section  22  is a read sensor that is formed from LED, CCD or the like, as shown by  FIG. 2 , is loaded on the underside of the loading section  20  in this embodiment. 
     The reading section  22  stands still at a predetermined position before a beginning of the reading process; and begins parallel movement from the predetermined position in the direction of auxiliary scan direction as shown by an arrow in the  FIG. 2  on the basis of a reading beginning instruction output from the scanner controlling section  26 . Along with the parallel movement, the reading section  22  scans the manuscript  13  which is loaded downward on the loading section  20 , and reads image of the read range from the manuscript  13  on the basis of coordinate “a”, coordinate “c”, designation resolution information and designation color mode information that are designated, through the scanner controlling section  26 , with respect to each read range. The image which is read, is changed into image data and is sent to the image storing section  23 . When the reading process with respect to respective read ranges is completed, the reading section  22  returns to the predetermined position and then stands still. 
     Further, the reading section  22 , on the basis of pre-scan instruction from the controlling section  26 , scans the manuscript  13  according to predetermined pre-scan resolution and pre-scan color mode, and reads the manuscript image  30 . In this embodiment, pre-scan resolution “100 dpi” and pre-scan color mode “color” are previously set in the reading section  22 . 
     The image storing section  23  is a temporary storing section for storing image data temporarily which is obtained through the reading section  22 . 
     The setting storing section  24 , as a storing section, stores the coordinate “a” and the coordinate “c” as range information of respective read ranges, and the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information as read condition information. 
       FIG. 5A  is a first explanation diagram showing a structure of a setting storing section in embodiment 1;  FIG. 5B  is a second explanation diagram showing a structure of a setting storing section in embodiment  1 . 
     In the setting storing section  24 , as shown by  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B , coordinate “a” item and coordinate “c” item that correspond to range number “i” (i=1,2 . . . ) of respective read ranges are set. In respective coordinate items, coordinate “a” (x ai , y ai ) and coordinate “c” (x ci , y ci ) of the corresponding read range are respectively stored. The read range (x i , y i ) of range number “i” is designated by the coordinate “a” and the coordinate “c”, and becomes (x a1 , y a1 )≦(x i , y i )≦(x c1 , y c1 ). The range number “i” of respective read ranges represents a read order of the read range, and is designated by the designating section  25  mentioned later. 
     Further, in the setting storing section  24 , designation resolution item and designation color mode item that correspond to range number “i” (i=1, 2 . . . ) are also set up. In these designation resolution item and designation color mode item, the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information that are set to correspond to respective read ranges are respectively stored. 
     For example, as shown by  FIG. 5A , coordinate “a” (50, 50) and coordinate “c” (300, 150) that correspond to range number “1” are respectively stored in the setting storing section  24 . These coordinates, as range information, correspond to the rectangular region  31 - 1  which is designated as read range in the manuscript image  30  ( FIG. 3A ). Further, corresponding to these, designation resolution information “200 dpi” and designation color mode information “color” are also respectively stored in the setting storing section  24 . 
     In addition, as shown by  FIG. 5A , coordinate “a” (200, 600) and coordinate “c” (450, 700) that correspond to range number “2” are respectively stored in the setting storing section  24 . This corresponds to range information corresponding to the rectangular region  31 - 2  which is designated as read range in the manuscript image  30  ( FIG. 3A ). Further, corresponding to these, designation resolution information “300 dpi” and designation color mode information “monochrome” are also respectively stored in the setting storing section  24 . 
     The designating section  25  has a function of designating a read order of plural read ranges that are designated with respect to the manuscript image  30 . The designating section  25 , after received coordinate “a” and coordinate “c” of respective read ranges from the scanner controlling section  26 , the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information, reads out the y-coordinate value from the received coordinate “a”, and then compares the y-coordinate value with respective y-coordinate values that are stored in coordinate “a” item in the setting storing section  24 . Then, a read order is designated according to such order as that y-coordinate value becomes small, and range numbers are given to respective read ranges on the basis of the read order. 
     For example, it is to consider such a situation that coordinate “a”, coordinate “c”, designation resolution information and designation color mode information that correspond to read ranges 1,2, . . . , n-1 are stored in the setting storing section  24 . At this time, in the setting storing section  24 , respective coordinates “a” (x a1 , y a1 ), (x a2 , y a2 ), . . . , (x an-1 , y an-1 ) that correspond to range number “1”, “2”, . . . , “n-1” are stored. Here, the y-coordinate value included in respective coordinate “a” becomes y a1 &lt;y a2 &lt; . . . y an-1  according to the order of range numbers. 
     When respective information including coordinate “a” (x an , y an ) corresponding to read range “n” is received from the scanner controlling section  26 , the designating section  25  reads out y-coordinate value “y an ” from the received coordinate “a”; and reads out y-coordinate value “y a1 ” of coordinate “a” corresponding to range number “1” from the setting storing section  24 ; then compares these y-coordinate values “y an ” with “y a1 ”, and judges their magnitude. When “y an ” is smaller than “y a1 ”, the designating section  25 , adds “1” to range numbers “1”, “2”, . . . “n-1” respectively that are designated with respect to respective read ranges, then changes the range numbers “1”, “2”, . . . , “n-1” into range numbers “2”, “3”, . . . , “n”; and designates the range number of this read range “n” as “1”. Then, the designating section  25  makes the setting storing section  24  store the coordinate “a”, the coordinate “c”, the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information that are received from the scanner controlling section  26  to correspond to the range number “1”. 
     When “y an ” is bigger than “y a1 ”, the designating section  25 , reads out y-coordinate value “y a2 ” of the coordinate “a” that corresponds to the range number “2”, then compares these y-coordinate values “y an ” with “y a2 ”, and judges their magnitude. 
     When a comparison judgment of y-coordinate values is performed, and then it is judged that “y an ” is smaller than y-coordinate value “y ai ” corresponding to range number “i”, the designating section  25  adds “1” to range number “i”, “i+1”, . . . “n-1”, then changes the range number “i”, “i+1”, . . . “n-1” into range number “i+1”, “i+2”, . . . “n”. Then, the designating section  25  designates “i” as the range number of the read range “n”, and make the setting storing section  24  memorize the coordinate “a”, the coordinate “c”, the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information that are received from the scanner controlling section  26  to correspond to the range number “i”. 
     The scanner controlling section  26 , as a controlling section, performs control of respective sections above mentioned. The scanner controlling section  26 , after received detection signal from the detecting section  21 , sends pre-scan instruction to the reading section  22 . Further, the scanner controlling section  26 , after received reading request from the host PC  12 , sends reading beginning instruction to the reading section  22  to execute reading process from respective read ranges. 
     Continuously, it is to explain operation of the scanner system  10  in this embodiment. 
     Firstly, it is to explain about a flow of processing pre-scanning the manuscript  13  in the scanner  11  as shown by  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart for explaining pre-scan operation of a scanner of the present invention. 
     When user loads the manuscript  13  on the loading section  20  of the scanner  11 , the detecting section  21  detects the manuscript  13  and sends the detection signal to the scanner controlling section  26  (step s 101 ). 
     The scanner controlling section  26 , when receiving the detection signal, should obtain manuscript image  30  of the manuscript  13 , sends pre-scan instruction to the reading section  22 . When pre-scan instruction is received, the reading section  22 , scans the manuscript  13  based on predetermined pre-scan resolution and pre-scan color mode, and then reads the manuscript  30  (step S 102 ). In this embodiment, the reading section  22  performs the read of the manuscript image  30  on the basis of the pre-scan resolution “100 dpi” and the pre-scan color mode “color”. The image data of the manuscript image  30  is sent and stored into the image storing section  23 . 
     The scanner controlling section  26 , continuously, reads out the image data of the manuscript image  30  from the image storing section  23 , and then sends the image data to the scanner communicating section  19 . Then, the scanner communicating section  19  sends the image data to the host PC  12 (step S 103 ). By this, the pre-scan processing in the scanner  11  is completed. 
     As above stated, after the manuscript  13  is loaded on the loading section  20  in the scanner  11 , the image of the manuscript  13  is read, and the image data is sent to the host PC  12 . 
     Next, it is to explain a flow of processing when plural read ranges are designated in the host PC  12  as shown by  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart for explaining read range designation operation of host PC. 
     Here, as shown by  FIG. 3B , it performs to explain an example in the case that  3  rectangular regions  31 - 1 ,  31 - 2 ,  31 - 3  are designated in order as read range in the manuscript image  30 . 
     In the host PC  12 , when the PC communicating section  16  receives image data of the manuscript image  30  from the scanner  11  (step S 201 ), the PC controlling section  18  controls the displaying section  14  to execute a display of the manuscript image  30  based on the image data (step S 202 ). 
     User operates the selecting and inputting section  15  and performs a designation of the read range in the manuscript image  30  displayed on the displaying section  14 . Firstly, as shown by  FIG. 3A , when the rectangular region  31 - 1  is designated as read range, the selecting and inputting section  15  obtains coordinate value of two top points  31   a - 1  and  31   c - 1  of the rectangular region  31 - 1 , that is, coordinate “a” (x a , y a ) and coordinate “c” (x c , y c ), and then respectively inputs them to the PC controlling section  18  (step S 203 ). Here, the selecting and inputting section  15  inputs coordinate “a” (50, 50) and coordinate “c” (300, 150). 
     After this input is received, the PC controlling section  18  controls the displaying section  14  to display the read condition setting scene  32  ( FIG. 4 ) (step S 204 ). 
     In the read condition setting scene  32  ( FIG. 4 ), user operates the selecting and inputting section  15  and after desired resolution is displayed on the resolution selecting region  33  and desired color mode is displayed on the color mode selecting region  34 , when the “OK” button  35  is pressed, the selecting and inputting section  15  inputs the resolution displayed on the resolution selecting region  33  as designation resolution information and the color mode displayed on the color mode selecting region  34  as designation color mode information to the PC controlling section  18  respectively (step S 205 ). Here, the selecting and inputting section  15  inputs the designation resolution information “200 dpi” and the designation color mode information “color” to the PC controlling section  18 . 
     Continuously, the PC controlling section  18  sends the coordinate “a”, the coordinate “c”, the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information that are input to the scanner  11  through the PC communicating section  16  (step S 206 ). The PC communicating section  16  sends coordinate “a” (50, 50), coordinate “c” (300, 150), designation resolution information “200 dpi” and designation color mode information “color” to the scanner  11 . 
     In the scanner  11 , when coordinate “a”, coordinate “c”, the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information that correspond to the rectangular region  31 - 1  are received, the read order of the rectangular region  31 - 1  is designated and the rectangular region  31 - 1  is set in the setting storing section  24  as read range. The flow of setting processing of the read range in the scanner  11  is mentioned later. 
     When the rectangular region  31 - 1  is set as read range, the setting completion of the read range is informed from the scanner  11  to the host PC  12  (step S 207 ). After the PC communicating section  16  receives the information, the PC controlling section  18 , displays a selection scene (not shown) to make user select any of designation continuation of the read range and beginning of reading process in the displaying section  14 . 
     When the designation continuation of read range is selected (step S 208 ) in the selection scene, the PC controlling section  18  controls the displaying section  14  to execute display of the manuscript image  30  (step S 202 ). Continuously, the host PC  12  repeats the processing from step S 203  to S 206 , as shown by  FIG. 3A , and designates the rectangular region  31 - 2  as read range. Then, coordinate “a” (200, 600), coordinate “c” (450, 700), designation resolution information “300 dpi” and designation color mode “monochrome” that correspond to the rectangular region  31 - 2  are sent from the host PC  12  to the scanner  11  (step S 206 ). 
     Then, in the scanner  11 , after coordinate “a”, coordinate “c”, designation resolution information and designation color mode information of the rectangular region  31 - 2  are stored in the setting storing section  24 , and the rectangular region  31 - 2  is set as read range, when setting completion of the read range is informed from the scanner  11  to the host PC  12  (step S 207 ), the PC controlling section  18  displays a selection scene in the displaying section  14 . 
     If the selection scene, after the designation continuation of read range is set (step S 208 ), the manuscript image  30  is displayed on the displaying section  14  (step S 202 ). Then, the host PC  12  repeats the processing from step  203  to step  206 , as shown by  FIG. 3B , and designates rectangular region  31 - 3  as a read range. The host PC  12  sends coordinate “a” (100, 300), coordinate “c” (400, 500), designation resolution information “600 dpi” and designation color mode “gray scale” that correspond to the rectangular region  31 - 3  to the scanner  11  (step S 206 ). 
     In the scanner  11 , after coordinate “a”, coordinate “c”, designation resolution information and designation color mode information of the rectangular region  31 - 3  are stored in setting storing section  24 , when setting completion of the read range is informed to the host PC  12  (step S 207 ), the PC controlling section  18  displays the selection scene in the displaying section  14  once more. 
     Thus,  3  rectangular regions  31 - 1 ,  31 - 2 ,  31 - 3  are set as read ranges and when user selects a beginning of reading process in the selecting scene (step S 208 ), the electing and inputting section  15  inputs a reading request into PC controlling section  18  (step S 209 ). 
     The PC controlling section  18  sends the reading request which is input to the scanner  11  through the PC communicating section  16  (step S 210 ). By this, the designation processing of the read range in the host PC  12  is completed. 
     As stated above, after the read range and the read condition are designated in the host PC  12 , coordinate “a” and coordinate “c” as range information of the read range, and designation resolution information and designation color mode information as read condition information are sent to the scanner  11 , and then the read range is set. 
     Next, it is to explain about a flow of setting of respective read ranges and reading process in the scanner  11  by  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 8  is a first flow chart for explaining setting read operation in embodiment 1 of scanner of the present invention;  FIG. 9  is a second flow chart for explaining setting read operation in embodiment 1 of scanner of the present invention. 
     Here, as explained in the  FIG. 7 , it is to explain an example in the case that reading request is input and sent to the scanner  11  after the rectangular regions  31 - 1 ,  31 - 2 ,  31 - 3  ( FIG. 3B ) are designated in order as read range in the host PC  12 . 
     In the scanner  11 , the scanner communicating section  19 , when receiving coordinate “a”, coordinate “c”, designation resolution information and designation color mode information that correspond to the rectangular region  31 - 1  ( FIG. 3A ) from the host PC  12  (step S 301 ), the scanner controlling section  26  should set the rectangular region  31 - 1  as read range, and sends the coordinate “a”, the coordinate “c”, the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information that are received into the designating section  25 . Here, coordinate “a” (50, 50), coordinate “c” (300, 150), designation resolution information “200 dpi” and designation color mode information “color” are sent to the designating section  25  from the PC controlling section  26 . 
     The designating section  25 , when coordinate “a”, coordinate “c”, designation resolution information and designation color mode information are received from the scanner controlling section  26 , temporarily stores these; and judges whether or not read range of setting end is existent in the setting storing section  24  (step S 302 ). In the setting storing section  24 , because the read range is unsettled, the designating section  25  judges the read range of setting end is nonexistent (step S 302 ). 
     When the set read range is nonexistent, the designating section  25  designates “1” as range number as the read order of the rectangular region  31 - 1  (step S 303 ). Then, the designating section  25  makes the setting storing section  24  store the coordinate “a”, the coordinate “c”, the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information that are received and correspond to the designated range number “1” (step S 303 ). In the setting storing section  24 , (50, 50) in coordinate “a” item, (300, 150) in coordinate “c” item, “200 dpi” in designation resolution item and “color” in designation color mode item that correspond to the range number 1 are respectively stored. By this, the rectangular region  31 - 1  is set as read range. 
     Continuously, the scanner controlling section  26  informs the host PC  12  of the setting completion of read range to through the scanner communicating section  19  (step S 304 ). 
     The host PC  12 , when informed of the setting completion from the scanner  11 , next, designates the rectangular region  31 - 2  ( FIG. 3A ) as read range, and sends coordinate “a” (200, 600), coordinate “c” (450, 700), designation resolution information “300 dpi” and designation color mode information “monochrome” to the scanner  11 . 
     In the scanner  11 , when the scanner communicating section  19  receives coordinate “a”, coordinate “c”, designation resolution information and designation color mode information that correspond to the rectangular region  31 - 2  (step S 301 ), the scanner controlling section  26  sends the coordinate “a”, the coordinate “c”, the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information that are received to the designating section  25 . 
     The designating section  25  temporarily stores the coordinate “a”, the coordinate “c”, the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information that are received; and judges whether or not read range of setting end is existent in the setting storing section  24  (step S 302 ). In the setting storing section  24 , because coordinate “a”, coordinate “c”, designation resolution information and designation color mode information of the rectangular region  31 - 1  that correspond to the range number “1” are stored, the designating section  25  judges that the read range of setting end is existent (step S 302 ). 
     When the read range of setting end is existent, the designating section  25  designates a read order of the rectangular region  31 - 2 . The designating section  25  compares the y-coordinate value which is included in the coordinate “a” of read range of setting end with the y-coordinate value of the coordinate “a” corresponding to the rectangular region  31 - 2 , and designates the read order according to which the y-coordinate value gradually decreases. 
     Firstly, the designating section  25  reads out read range number n of setting end (step S 305 ). In the setting storing section  24 , because only the read range corresponding to range number “1” is set, the designating section  25  reads out n=1. 
     Continuously, the designating section  25  performs a judgment about the read order of the read range corresponding to range number “i” on which the range number is set as i (i=1,2 . . . ), and the rectangular region  31 - 2 . 
     Firstly, when i=1 (step S 306 ), the i is compared with the read range number n of setting end in the setting storing section  24 , in order to judge whether or not read range corresponding to the range number “i” is set, it is judged whether or not i&gt;n (step S 307 ). Here, because i=n=1, the designating section  25  judges that it is not i&gt;n, that is, the read range corresponding to range number “i” is set (step S 307 ). 
     Continuously, the designating section  25  reads out y-coordinate value y a2  from coordinate “a” (x a2 , y a2 ) in the rectangular region  31 - 2 ; and reads out the y-coordinate value y a1  from the coordinate “a” (x a1 , y a1 ) of setting end corresponding to range number “i=1”. Then, the designating section  25  compares y a1  and y a2 , and judges their magnitude (step S 308 ). Here, according to y a2 =600 and y a1 =50, the designating section  25  judges that y a2 &gt;y a1  (step S 308 ). On the basis of this, the designating section  25  judges that the read order of the rectangular region  31 - 2  is ranked after the read range of setting end, i.e. the read order of the rectangular region  31 - 1  corresponding to range number “i=1”. 
     Next, the designating section  25  adds 1 to the range number “i=1”, and then the range number becomes “i=2” (step S 311 ). At this time, if the read range number of setting end is n=1, the designating section  25  judges that i&gt;n, that is, the read range corresponding to the read range number has not been set (step S 307 ). 
     Then, the designating section  25  designates the range number of the rectangular region  31 - 2  as “i=2”, and makes the setting storing section  24  store coordinate “a” (200, 600), coordinate “c”, designation resolution information “300 dpi” and designation color mode information “color” of the rectangular region  31 - 2  that correspond to the designation range number 2 that is designated as shown by  FIG. 5A  (step  310 ). By this, the rectangular region  31 - 2  is set as read range. 
     Continuously, the scanner controlling section  26  informs the host PC  12  of setting completion of the read range through the scanner communicating section  19  (step S 304 ). 
     The host PC  12 , When informed of the setting completion from the scanner  11 , continuously, designates the rectangular region  31 - 3  ( FIG. 3B ) as read range, and sends the coordinate “a” (100, 300), coordinate “c” (400, 500), designation resolution information “600 dpi” and designation color mode information “gray scale” of the rectangular region  31 - 3  ( FIG. 3B ) to the scanner  11 . 
     In the scanner  11 , when the scanner communicating section  19  receives coordinate “a”, coordinate “c”, designation resolution information and designation color mode information that correspond to the rectangular region  31 - 3  from the host PC  12  (step S 301 ), the scanner controlling section  26  sends the coordinate “a”, the coordinate “c”, the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information that are received to the designating section  25 . 
     The designating section  25  temporarily stores the coordinate “a”, the coordinate “c”, the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information that are received3 and judges whether or not the read range of setting end is existent in the setting storing section  24  (step S 302 ). In setting storing section  24 , because coordinate “a”, coordinate “c”, designation resolution information and designation color mode information of the rectangular region  31 - 1  that correspond to the range number “1”, and coordinate “a”, coordinate “c”, designation resolution information and designation color mode information of the rectangular region  31 - 2  that correspond to the range number 2 are respectively stored, the designating section  25  judges that the read range of setting end is existent (step S 302 ), and reads out the read range number of setting end n=2 (step S 305 ). 
     Continuously, the designating section  25  designates the read order of rectangular region  31 - 3 . Firstly, it is judged that the range number is set as “i=1” (step S 306 ), and the read range corresponding to the range number “i=1” is set, that is, not i&gt;n (step S 307 ). 
     Then, the designating section  25  reads out y-coordinate value y a3  from coordinate “a” (x a3 , y a3 ) in the rectangular region  31 - 3 ; and reads out the y-coordinate value y a1  from the coordinate “a” (x a1 , y a1 ) of setting end corresponding to range number “i=1”. Then, the designating section  25  compares y a3  and y a1  and judges their magnitude (step S 308 ). Here, according to y a3 =300 and y a1 =50, the designating section  25  judges that y a3 &gt;y a1  (step S 308 ). On the basis of this, the designating section  25  judges that the read order of rectangular region  31 - 3  is ranked after the read range of setting end, i.e. the read order of the rectangular region  31 - 1  corresponding to range number “i=1”. 
     Next, the designating section  25  adds  1  to the range number “i=1”, and then the range number becomes “i=2” (step S 311 ). At this time, if the read range number of setting end n=2, the designating section  25  judges that is not i&gt;n, that is, the read range corresponding to the range number “i=2” has been set (step S 307 ). 
     Then, the designating section  25  reads out y-coordinate value y a2  from coordinate “a” (x a2 , y a2 ) of setting end corresponding to the range number “i=2”. Then, the designating section  25  compares y a2  and y a3 , and judges their magnitude (step S 308 ). Here, according to y a3 =300 and y a2 =600, the designating section  25  judges that y a3 &lt;y a2  (step S 308 ). On the basis of this, the designating section  25  judges that the read order of rectangular region  31 - 3  is ranked before the read range of setting end, i.e. the read order of the rectangular region  31 - 1  corresponding to range number “i=1”. 
     On the basis of the judgment, the designating section  25 , in each read range of the range number i=1˜n which is set in the setting storing section  24 , in order to rank the read order of each read range corresponding to range number i=2˜n after the read order of the rectangular region  31 - 3 , respectively adds 1 to the range number i=2˜n, and then the range number is changed into i=3˜n+1 (step S 309 ). Here, because n=2, the range number “2” is changed into range number “3” in the setting storing section  24 . 
     Continuously, the designating section  25  designates the range number of the rectangular region  31 - 3  as “i=2”, and makes the setting storing section  24  correspond to the range number “2”, and store coordinate “a” (100, 300), coordinate “c” (400, 500), designation resolution information “600 dpi” and designation color mode information “gray scale” of the rectangular region  31 - 3 , as shown by  FIG. 5B  in (step S 310 ). By this, the rectangular region  31 - 3  is set as read range. 
     Continuously, the scanner controlling section  26  informs the host PC  12  of the setting completion of read range through the scanner communicating section  19  (step S 304 ). 
     After the host PC  12  is informed of the setting completion from the scanner  11 , when the beginning of reading process is selected by user, and reading request is input, the reading request is sent to the scanner  11 . 
     In the scanner  11 , when the scanner communicating section  19  receives the reading request from the host PC  12  (step S 312 ), the scanner controlling section  26  controls the reading section  22 , and begins reading process of each read range. 
     The scanner controlling section  26 , firstly, reads out the read range number n of setting end from the setting storing section  24  (step S 313 ). In the setting storing section  24  ( FIG. 5B ), because  3  read ranges are setting end, the scanner controlling section  26  reads out n=3. 
     Continuously, the scanner controlling section  14  compares the i, that i=1 (step S 314 ) with the range number n that is read out, in order to judge that whether or not the read range corresponding to the range number “i” has been set, judges that whether or not i&gt;n (step S 315 ). Here, according to i=1 and n=3, because i&lt;n, so the scanner controlling section  26  judges that the read range of the range number “i=1” has been set. 
     Next, the scanner controlling section  26  reads out the set coordinate “a”, the set coordinate “c”, the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information that correspond to the range number “i=1” from the setting storing section  24  ( FIG. 5B ) (step S 316 ). The scanner controlling section  26  reads out the read range, that is, coordinate “a” (50, 50), coordinate “c” (300, 150), designation resolution information “200 dpi” and designation color mode information “color” of the rectangular region  31 - 1  ( FIG. 3B ) that correspond to range number “i=1”. 
     Then, on the basis of reading beginning instruction from the scanner controlling section  26 , the reading section  22  regards the rectangular region  31 - 1  as read range, and reads out image of the read range (step S 317 ). The reading section  22 , firstly, when parallel moving in the auxiliary scan direction to the position of y-coordinate value y a1 =50 of coordinate “a” that is read out, reads the one line part of image from x-coordinate value x a1 =50 of coordinate “a” to x-coordinate value x c1 =300 of coordinate “c”, and sends it to the image storing section  23  to store it. At this time, the reading section  22  reads the image in the interval of 200 dpi (dot/inch) in the main scan direction in color mode. The reading section  22 , while continuing to parallel move furthermore, reads one line part of image from x a1 =50 to x c1 =300 every advancing 1/200 inch in the auxiliary scan direction, and sends the image data to the image storing section  23  to store it. The reading section  22  repeats the reading process from the position of y-coordinate value y a1 =50 of coordinate “a” to the position of y-coordinate value y c1 =150 of coordinate “c”. By this, the read of the image of the rectangular region  31 - 1  is completed. 
     When the read is completed, the scanner controlling section  26  reads the image data of the rectangular region  31 - 1  from the image storing section  23 , and sends the image data to the host PC  12  through the scanner communicating section  19  (step S 318 ). 
     In host PC  12 , when PC communicating section  16  receives the image date, PC controlling stores the image data in image storing section  17 . 
     Further, the scanner controlling section  26 , when adding 1 to range number “i=1”, then the range number becomes i=2 (step S 319 ), compares the i with read range number n, in order to judge whether or not the read range corresponding to the range number “i” has been set judges that whether or not i&gt;n (step S 315 ). Here, according to i=2 and n=3, because of i&lt;n, the scanner controlling section  26  judges that read range of range number “i=2” has been set (step S 315 ). 
     Next, the scanner controlling section  26  reads out the set coordinate “a”, coordinate “c”, designation resolution information and designation color mode information of setting end that correspond to the range number “i=2” from the setting storing section  24  ( FIG. 5B ) (step S 316 ). The scanner controlling section  26  reads out the read range that is, coordinate “a” (100, 300), coordinate “c” (400, 500), designation resolution information “600 dpi” and designation color mode information “gray scale” of the rectangular region  31 - 3  ( FIG. 3B ) that correspond to range number  2 . 
     Then, on the basis of control of the scanner controlling section  26 , the reading section  22  regards the rectangular region  31 - 3  as read range, and reads image of the read range (step S 317 ). The reading section  22 , firstly, after parallel moved in the auxiliary scan direction from the position of y-coordinate value y c1 =150 of coordinate “c” of the rectangular region  31 - 1  corresponding to the range number “1” to the position of y-coordinate value y a3 =300 of coordinate “a” of the rectangular region  31 - 3  corresponding to the range number “2”, reads the one line part of image from x-coordinate value x a3 =100 of coordinate “a” to x-coordinate value x c3 =400 of coordinate “c”, and sends it to the image storing section  23  to store it. At this time, the reading section  22  reads the image in the interval of 600 dpi (dot/inch) in the main scan direction in gray scale. The reading section  22 , while continuing to parallel move in the auxiliary scan direction, reads one line part of image from x a1 =100 to x c1 =400 every advancing 1/600 inch, and sends the image data to the image storing section  23  to store it. The reading section  22  repeats the reading process from the y-coordinate value y a3 =300 of coordinate “a” to the position of y-coordinate value y c3 =500 of coordinate “c”, and reads the image of the rectangular region  31 - 3 . 
     Continuously, the scanner controlling section  26  reads out the image data of the rectangular region  31 - 3  from the image storing section  23 , and sends the image data to the host PC  12  through the scanner communicating section  19  (step S 318 ). 
     In the host PC  12 , after the PC communicating section  16  receives the image data, the PC controlling section  18  makes the PC storing section  17  store the image data. 
     Further, the scanner controlling section  26 , when adding 1 to range number “i=2”, then the range number becomes “i=3” (step S 319 ), compares the i with the read range number n, if order to judge whether or not the read range corresponding to the range number “i” is set, judges whether or not i&gt;n (step S 315 ). Here, according to i=3 and n=3, because i=n, the scanner controlling section  26  judges the read range of range number “i=3” has been set (step S 315 ). 
     Next, the scanner controlling section  26  reads out coordinate “a”, coordinate “c”, designation resolution information and designation color mode information of setting end that correspond to the range number “i=3” from the setting storing section  24 (Fig  5 B) (step S 316 ). The Scanner controlling section  26  reads out the read range, that is, coordinate “a” (200, 600), coordinate “c” (450, 700), designation resolution information “300 dpi” and designation color mode information “monochrome” of the rectangular region  31 - 2  ( FIG. 3B ) that correspond to the range number 3. 
     Then, on the basis of control of the scanner controlling section  26 , the reading section  22  regards the rectangular region  31 - 2  as read range, and reads image of the read range (step S 317 ). The reading section  22 , firstly, after parallel moved in the auxiliary scan direction from the position of y-coordinate value y c3 =500 of coordinate “c” of the rectangular region  31 - 3  corresponding to the range number “2” to the position of y-coordinate value y a2 =600 of coordinate “a” of the rectangular region  31 - 2  corresponding to the range number “3”, reads the one line part of image from x-coordinate value x a2 =200 of coordinate “a” to x-coordinate value x c2 =450 of coordinate “c”, and sends it to the image storing section  23  to store it. At this time, the reading section  22  reads the image in the interval of 300 dpi (dot/inch) in the main scan direction in monochrome. The reading section  22  continues to parallel move in the auxiliary scan direction, reads one line part of image from x a2 =200 to x c2 =450 every advancing 1/300 inch at the same time, and sends the image data to the image storing section  23  to store it. The reading section  22  repeats the reading process from the y-coordinate value y a2 =600 of coordinate “a” to the position of y-coordinate value y c2 =700 of coordinate “c”, and reads the image of the rectangular region  31 - 2 . 
     Continuously, the scanner controlling section  26  reads out the image data of the rectangular region  31 - 2  from the image storing section  23 , and sends the image data to the host PC  12  through the PC communicating section  19  (step S 318 ). 
     In the host PC  12 , when the PC communicating section  16  receives the image data, the PC controlling section  18  makes the PC storing section  17  store the image data. 
     Further, the scanner controlling section  26 , when adding 1 to range number “i=3”, then the range number becomes “i=4” (step S 319 ), compares the i with the read range number n, in order to judge whether or not the read range corresponding to the range number “i” has been set, judges whether or not i&gt;n (step S 315 ). Here, according to i=4 and n=3, because i&gt;n, the scanner controlling section  26  judges that the read range of range number “i=4” has not been set (step S 315 ). By this, the setting reading process in scanner  11  is completed. 
     As stated above, read order of each read range that is designated is designated in the host PC  12 ; and read condition is set in the setting storing section  24 . Then, according to the read order, the reading process of each read range is executed on the basis of the read condition that is set. 
     As stated above, the scanner system  10  of this embodiment, when plural read ranges are designated in one manuscript image  30 , designates a read order on the basis of the position of respective read ranges in the auxiliary scan direction of the scanner  11 . Then, according to the read order, the scanner  11 , because reading image of respective read ranges, it is possible to shorten read operation. Further, when different read conditions are set with respect to respective read ranges, because it is possible to read image by changing read condition of each read range without repeating the scan of the manuscript  13 , so it becomes possible to shorten further reading operation. Therefore, it becomes possible to execute the reading process efficiently. 
     Moreover, in this embodiment, there is not limit for the scanner  11  to obtain rectangular manuscript image  30 . It is also possible to obtain image beyond the rectangular shape. Similarly, the designation of each read range is also not limited in the rectangular region. 
     Further, in this embodiment, the scanner  11  sends the image data of each read range to the host PC  12 , but, the image data of each read range may also send to the host PC  12  after the completion of reading process with respect to all read ranges. 
     Embodiment 2 
     In the scanner  11  of embodiment 1, on the basis of the position of the auxiliary scan direction of each read range in the manuscript image  30  ( FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B ), a read order is set, and according to the read order, reading process of the image of each read range is executed. 
     And yet, there is a case that overlapping parts that overlap in plural read ranges are existent. The example is shown by  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 11A  is a second explanation diagram showing a designation example of read range in manuscript image (I);  FIG. 11B  is a second explanation diagram showing a designation example of read range in manuscript image (II). 
     In the  FIG. 11A , in the manuscript image  50 , 3 rectangular regions  51 - 1 ,  51 - 2 ,  51 - 3  are respectively designated as read ranges. The rectangular region  51 - 1  and  51 - 3  are mutually overlapped in rectangular region  52  which is shown by oblique lines. That is, the rectangular region  52  is the overlapping part of rectangular  51 - 1  and  51 - 3 . 
     Thus, when overlapping part is existent in plural read ranges, and different read conditions are set in respective read ranges, the scanner  11  must perform read of image of the overlapping part every read condition. Therefore, there is a problem that images of respective read ranges by scanning once could not be read. 
     The scanner and the scanner system in this embodiment, in order to solve the problem stated above, are composed as following. 
       FIG. 10  is a block diagram showing a structure of a scanner system in embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
     The scanner system  40  of this embodiment is a structure that adds a judging and selecting section  45  and a changing section  46  in the scanner  41 , but is different from the embodiment 1. 
     Moreover, in this embodiment, the same structure as the embodiment 1 is shown by the same mark, and the explanations about these are omitted. 
     The scanner system  40 , as shown by  FIG. 10 , comprising a scanner  41  as an image reading apparatus and a host PC  12  as a upper apparatus. A connection method between the scanner  41  and the host PC  12  may be any of USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection and parallel connection and the like. 
     The scanner  41 , as shown by  FIG. 10 , comprising a scanner communicating section  19 , a loading section  20 , a detecting section  21 , a reading section  42 , an image storing section  23 , a setting storing section  43 , a designating section  44 , a judging and selecting section  45 , a changing section  46  and a scanner controlling section  47 . 
     The reading section  42 , on the basis of coordinate “A”, coordinate “C” that are informed by the scanner controlling section  47  (stated later), designation resolution information and designation color mode information, reads image of prior read range (stated later) that is designated by coordinate “A” and coordinate “C”, then changes it into image data, i.e. prior image, and then sends it to the image storing section  23 . 
     The setting storing section  43 , as a storing section, stores the coordinate “a” and the coordinate “c” as range information of respective read ranges, and the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information as read condition information. 
       FIG. 12A  is a first explanation diagram showing a structure of setting storing section in embodiment 2;  FIG. 12B  as a second explanation diagram showing a structure of setting storing section in embodiment 2;  FIG. 12C  is a third explanation diagram showing a structure of setting storing section in embodiment 2. 
     In the setting storing section  43 , as shown by  FIG. 12A ,  FIG. 12B ,  FIG. 12C , corresponding to range numbers “i” (i=1, 2 . . . ) of respective read ranges, coordinate item “a” and coordinate item “c” are set, and then coordinate “a” (x ai , y ai ) and coordinate “c” (x ci , y ci ) of the corresponding read ranges are respectively stored. These coordinate “a” and coordinate “c”, the same as the embodiment 1, are input on the basis of the designation of user in the host PC  12 , and then are sent to the scanner  41 . Further, the range numbers of respective read ranges show a read order of the read range. The range number is designated on the basis of the position in the auxiliary coordinate direction, i.e. Y-coordinate direction of each read range in order to meet y a1 ≦y a2 ≦ . . . by the designating section  44 . The designation order of the range number is stated later through the designating section  44 . 
     Further, in the setting storing section  43 , corresponding to range numbers “i” (i=1, 2 . . . ), designation resolution item and designation color mode item are also set, and then designation resolution information and designation color mode information that are set to correspond to respective read ranges are respectively stored. These designation resolution information and designation color mode information, similarly, are input on the basis of the designation of user in the host PC  12 , and then are sent to the scanner  41 . 
     Furthermore, in the setting storing section  43  of this embodiment, corresponding to range numbers “i” (i=1, 2 . . . ), coordinate item “A” and coordinate item C are set. In the coordinate item “A” and coordinate item C, coordinate “A” (x Ai , y Ai ) and coordinate “C” (x Ci , y Ci ) of the corresponding read ranges are respectively stored. The coordinate “A” and the coordinate “C” are formed from the coordinate values that are set by the judging and selecting section  45  stated later, and designate a rectangular region. The rectangular region becomes a read range on which reading process is actually executed by the reading section  42 . In other words, the actual read ranges (x i , y i ) become a coordinate region meeting (x Ai , y Ai )≦(x i , y i )≦(x Ci , y Ci ) through the reading section  42 . The read range that is designated by the coordinate “A” and the coordinate “C” is recorded as a prior read range, and the read range that is designated by the coordinate “a” and the coordinate “c” stated above is recorded as a designation read range. Respective coordinates “A” and coordinates “C” are set to meet y A1 &lt;y C1 ≦y A2 &lt;y C2  so that respective rectangular regions are not overlapped in the auxiliary scan direction. 
     Further, in the setting storing section  43  of this embodiment, corresponding to range numbers “i” (i=1, 2 . . . ), prior resolution item and prior color mode item are also set, and then prior resolution information and prior color mode information that are set and correspond to respective prior read ranges are respectively stored. These prior resolution information and prior color mode information are set by the judging and selecting section  45 , and are used as prior resolution information when reading process as executed by the reading section  42 . 
     For example, as shown by  FIG. 12C , in the setting storing section  43 , coordinate “A” (50, 50) and coordinate “C” (250, 150) that correspond to the range number “1” are respectively stored. It corresponds to coordinate values of two top points  51   a - 1  and  51   c - 1  possessed by the rectangular region  51 - 1  as designation read range that is designated by the host PC  12  in the manuscript image  50  ( FIG. 11A ). Further, designation resolution information “200 dpi” and designation color mode information “color” that correspond to these are also respectively stored in the setting storing section  43 . 
     Furthermore, as shown by  FIG. 12C , in the setting storing section  43 , coordinate “A” (50, 50) and coordinate “C” (250, 150) that correspond to the range number “1” are respectively stored. It corresponds to coordinate values of two top points  51 A- 1  and  51 C- 1  possessed by the rectangular region  53 - 1  as prior read range that is set by the judging and selecting section  45  in the manuscript image  50  ( FIG. 11B ). Further, prior resolution information “600 dpi” and prior color mode information “color” that correspond to these are also respectively stored in the setting storing section  43 . In this embodiment, the reading section  42  performs reading process with respect to the rectangular region  53 - 1  that is designated by the coordinate “A” (50, 50) and the coordinate “C” (250, 150) on the basis of the prior resolution information “600 dpi” and the prior color mode information “color”. 
     The designating section  44  designates a read order of plural read ranges that are designated with respect to the manuscript image  50 , and gives range numbers to respective designation read range on the basis of the read order. In this embodiment, the designating section  44  designates the read order on the basis of the y-coordinate value which is included in each coordinate “a” of setting end in the setting storing section  43  and the y-coordinate value which is included in the coordinate “a” that is received from the scanner controlling section  47 . 
     For example, it is to consider in the case that respective information including coordinate “a” coordinate “c” with respect to designation read range 1, 2, . . . n-1 is stored to correspond to range numbers “1”, “2”, . . . “n-1” in the setting storing section  43 . 
     The designating section  44 , after received coordinate “a” (x an , y an ), coordinate “c” (x cn , y cn ), designation resolution information and designation color mode information that correspond to the designation read range from the scanner controlling section  47 , firstly, reads out the received y-coordinate values “y an ” of the coordinate “a”; reads out respective y-coordinate values “y a1 ”, “y a2 ”, . . . , y an-1  from coordinates “a” that are stored in the setting storing section  43  and correspond to respective range numbers “1”, “2”, . . . “n-1”; compares these; and then judges their magnitude. Here, the y-coordinate values that are included in respective coordinates “a” become y a1 ≦y a2 ≦ . . . ≦y an-1  in the order of the range number. 
     When it is judged that y ai-1 &lt;y an &lt;y ai , the designating section  44  adds  1  to respective range numbers “i”, “i+1”, . . . “n-1” of setting end respectively in the setting storing section  43 , and then the range numbers of setting end are changed into “i+1”, “i+2”, . . . “n”. Then, the range number of designation read range n is designated as “i”, and the setting storing section  43  is made to store coordinate “a”, coordinate “c”, designation resolution information and designation color mode information that are received from the canner controlling section  47  to correspond to the range number “i”. 
     Further, when y an  is any of y-coordinate value, for example, y-coordinate value y ai  of coordinate “a” corresponding to the range number “i”, that is, y an =y ai , the designating section  44  also designates a read order on the basis of the coordinate “c”. In other words , the designating section  44  reads out the y-coordinate value y cn  of coordinate “c” received from the scanner controlling section  47 ; reads out the y-coordinate value y ci  from the coordinate “c” that is stored in the setting storing section  43  corresponding to range number “i; then compares y cn  and y ci ; and judges their magnitude. 
     When it is judged that y cn &lt;y ci , the designating section  44  adds 1 to respective range numbers “i”, “i+1”, . . . “n-1” of setting end respectively in the setting storing section  43 , and then the range numbers of setting end are changed into “i+1”, “i+2”, . . . “n”; designates the range number of the designation read range n as “1”; 
     and makes the setting storing section  43  store coordinate “a”, coordinate “c”, designation resolution information and designation color mode information that are received from the canner controlling section  47  to correspond to the range number “i”. 
     Further, when it is judged that y cn ≧y ci , the designating section  44  adds 1 to respective range numbers “i+1”, “i+2”, . . . “n-1” of setting end respectively in the setting storing section  43 , and then the range numbers of setting end are changed into “i+2”, “i+3”, . . . “n”; designates the range number of the designation read range n as “i+1”; and makes the setting storing section  43  store coordinate “a”, coordinate “c”, designation resolution information and designation color mode information that are received from the canner controlling section  47  to correspond to the range number “i”. 
     The designating section  44 , after designated the range number, and the setting storing section  43  is made to store coordinate “a”, coordinate “c”, designation resolution information and designation color mode information as stated above, informs the scanner control section  47  of the setting completion of the read range. 
     The judging and selecting section  45 , as a judging section, judges whether or not there is overlapping in the auxiliary scan direction in each designation read range that is set in the setting storing section  43 . Further, the judging and selecting section  45  performs setting of the rectangular region, i.e. prior read range in order to perform the reading process actually through the reading section  42  with respect to each designation read range. Furthermore, the judging and selecting section  45 , as a selecting section, selects and sets prior resolution information and prior color mode information. 
     It is to explain simply about a judgment of existence and nonexistence of overlapping and a setting of the prior read range through the judging and selecting section  45  by using the  FIG. 13 . 
       FIG. 13A  is a first explanation diagram showing a setting example of prior read range;  FIG. 13B  is a second explanation diagram showing a setting example of prior read range;  FIG. 13C  is a third explanation diagram showing a setting example of prior read range. 
     As shown by  FIG. 13A , rectangular region  54 - i  and  54 - i+ 1 are designation read ranges that correspond to range numbers “i” and “i+1” respectively. With respect to the respective rectangular region  54 - i  and  54 - i+ 1, after it is judged whether or not overlapping is existent, it is to explain the situation that sets coordinate “c” (x Ci , y Ci ) corresponding to range number “i” and coordinate “A” (x Ai+1 , y Ai+1 ) corresponding to range number “i+1”. Moreover, coordinate “A” (x Ai , y Ai ) corresponding to range number “i” has been already set, coordinate “C” (x Ci+1 , y Ci+1 ) corresponding to range number “i+1” is set on the basis of the existence/nonexistence of overlapping with designation read range of range number “i+2”. 
     As shown by  FIG. 13A , coordinate value of the top point “A” of the rectangular region  54 - i  corresponds to coordinate “A” (x Ai , y Ai ) of setting end in t′e setting storing section  43  corresponding to the range number “i”, and is formed from coordinate “C” (x Ci , y Ci ) of setting end in the setting storing section  43  corresponding to range number “i”. However, the rectangular region  54 - i  is judged that there is no overlapping with the rectangular region (not shown) corresponding to ranger number “i−1”, and the coordinate value of the top point “a i ” is set in the setting storing section  43  as coordinate “A” for designating the prior read range. 
     Further, the coordinate value of the top point “a i+1 ” of the rectangular region  54 - i +1 corresponds to coordinate “a” (x ai+1 , y ai+1 ) of setting end in the setting storing section  43  corresponding to range number “i+1”; and the coordinate value of the top point “c i+1 ” is formed from coordinate “c” (x ci+1 , y ci+1 ) of setting end in the setting storing section  43  corresponding to range number “i+1”. 
     The judging and selecting section  45 , after notified of the range number “i” (i=1,2, . . . ) from the scanner controlling section  47 , judges whether or not there is a overlapping between the designation read range that is set corresponding to the range number “i” and the designation read range that is set corresponding to the range number “i+1”, in the auxiliary scan direction. The judging and selecting section  45  reads out y-coordinate value y ci  from coordinate “c” (x ci , y ci  ) corresponding to range number “i”; reads out y-coordinate value y ai+1  from coordinate “c” (x ai+1 , y ai+1 ) corresponding to range number “i+1”; then compares these; and then judges their magnitude when it is judged that y ci ≦y ai+1 , the judging and selecting section  45  judges that overlapping is nonexistent in the auxiliary scan direction in these designation read ranges. When it is judged that y ci &gt;y ai+1 $ the judging and selecting section  45  judges that overlapping is existent in the auxiliary scan direction in these designation read ranges. 
     In the  FIG. 13A , y ci &gt;y ai+1 , it is judged that overlapping is existent in the auxiliary scan direction in the rectangular region  54 - i  and  54 - i +1. The overlapping corresponds to rectangular region  55  shown by oblique lines as shown by  FIG. 13A . 
     When it is judged overlapping is nonexistent, the judging and selecting section  45  regards coordinate “C” corresponding to range number “i” as coordinate “c” (x ci , y ci ) to store coordinate item “C” corresponding to range number “i”. Further, coordinate “A” corresponding to range number “i” is regarded as coordinate “a” (x ai+1 , y ai+1 ) corresponding to range number “i+1” to store coordinate item “A” corresponding to range number “i+1”. Furthermore, the judging and selecting section  45  regards designation resolution information and designation color mode information that correspond to range number “i” as prior resolution information and prior color mode information to store in the corresponding prior resolution item and prior color mode item coordinate item. 
     When it is judged overlapping is existent, the judging and selecting section  45  performs setting change of y-coordinate value in order to delete the overlapping from the designation read range of range number “i+1”. In other words, the judging and selecting section  45  changes the y-coordinate value y ai+1  of coordinate “a” (xa i+1 , y ai+1 ) corresponding to range number “i+1” into y-coordinate value y ci  of coordinate “c” corresponding to “i”, and then sets coordinate “A” (x ai+1 , y ai+1 ). Then, the judging and selecting section  45  makes the coordinate item “A” store the coordinate “A” corresponding to range number “i+1”. 
     Thus, the top point of the rectangular region corresponding to range number “i+1” is changed from top point a i+1  shown by  FIG. 13A  into the top point A i+1  shown by  FIG. 13B . By this, the rectangular region  55  as a overlapping is taken out from the rectangular region  54 - a +1 ( FIG. 13A ), and the rectangular region  56 - i+ 1 ( FIG. 13B ), as a prior read range corresponding to range number “i+1”, is set. 
     However, as shown by  FIG. 13A  and  FIG. 13B , rectangular region  54 - i  corresponding to range number “i” overlaps with the left side  55   a  of the rectangular region  55 , but it does not overlap with the right side part  55   b . Therefore, after the rectangular region  55  is taken out from the designation read range, the reading process with respect to the right side part  55   b  of the rectangular region  55  could not be executed. 
     Therefore, the judging and selecting section  45  performs setting change of x-coordinate value with respect to the prior read range corresponding to range number “i” in order to make the prior include the read range right side part  55   b.    
     The judging and selecting section  45 , firstly, reads out x-coordinate value x Ai  from coordinate “A” (x Ai , y Ai ) corresponding to range number “i”; compares the x-coordinate value x Ai  with the x-coordinate value x Ai+1  of coordinate “A” (x Ai+1 , y Ai+1 ) corresponding to range number “i+1”; and then judges their magnitude. Then, when it is judged that x Ai &gt;x Ai+1 , the judging and selecting section  45  makes the coordinate item “A” corresponding to range number “i” store the coordinate “A” (x Ai+1 , y Ai ) in order to change the x-coordinate value x Ai  of coordinate “A” corresponding to range number “i” into the x-coordinate value x Ai+1  of coordinate “A” corresponding to range number “i+1”. When it is judged that x Ai ≦x Ai+1 , the coordinate “A” (x Ai , y Ai ) corresponding to range number “i” could not be changed. 
     Further, the judging and selecting section  45  reads out x-coordinate value x ci  from coordinate “c” (x ci , y ci ) corresponding to range number “i”; compares the x-coordinate value x ci  with the x-coordinate value x ci+1  of coordinate “A” (x ci+1 , y ci+1 ) corresponding to range number “i+1”; and then judges their magnitude. Then, when it is judged that x ci &lt;x ci+1 , the judging and selecting section  45  makes the coordinate item “C” corresponding to range number “i” store the coordinate “C” (x ci+1 , y ci ) in order to change the x-coordinate value x ci  of coordinate “c” corresponding to range number “i” into the x-coordinate value x ci+1  of coordinate “c” corresponding to range number “i+1”. When it is judged that x ci ≧x ci+1 , the corresponding coordinate item “C” is made to store the coordinate “c” (x ci , y ci ) corresponding to range number “i” as coordinate “C”. 
     In the  FIG. 13B , because x Ai &lt;x Ai+1 , coordinate “A” (y Ai , y Ai ) corresponding to range number “i” could not be changed. On the other hand, because x ci &lt;x ci+1 , coordinate “C” corresponding to range number “i” is changed into coordinate value (x ci+1 , y ci ) of top point C i  shown by  FIG. 13C . As a result, the rectangular region  56 - i  ( FIG. 13C ) including the right side part  55   b  of the rectangular region  55  is set as prior read range corresponding to range number “i”. 
     Furthermore, the judging and selecting section  45 , when overlapping between the designation read range corresponding to range number “i” and the designation read range corresponding to range number “i+1” is existent, reads out the designation resolution information corresponding to range number “i” and the designation resolution information corresponding to range number “i+1” from the setting storing section  43 , and compares them, and then select any of the designation resolution information on which high is firstly selected. Then, corresponding prior resolution item is made to store the designation resolution information as prior resolution information to corresponding to range number “i”. 
     Similarly, the judging and selecting section  45  reads out color mode information corresponding to range number “i” and color mode information corresponding to range number “i+1” from the setting storing section  43 ,and compares them, and then select one of the prior color mode information on the basis of the predetermined prior order. Here, in respective color mode information, the prior order is previously determined in the order of “color”, “gray scale” and “monochrome”. The judging and selecting section  45 , on the basis of the prior order, selects the prior color mode information, and makes corresponding prior color mode item store the prior color mode information as prior color mode information corresponding to range number “i”. 
     The changing section  46  changes the prior image that is read on the basis of the prior resolution information and the prior color mode information into change image on the basis of the designation resolution information and designation color mode information. It is to explain about operation of the changing section  46  later in detail. 
     The scanner controlling section  47 , as a controlling section, performs control of all sections in the scanner  41 . 
     Further, the scanner controlling section  47  controls the changing section  46  for performing a change toward a change image of prior image. 
     Continuously, it is to explain operation of the scanner system  40  in this embodiment. 
     In the scanner  41 , because the flow of the process for pre-scanning the manuscript ( FIG. 6 ) and the flow of the process for designating plural read ranges (FIG.  7 )are the same as embodiment 1, so explanations are omitted. 
     Here, it is to perform an explanation about the flow of setting process of each designation read range in the scanner  41  by using  FIG. 12A ,  FIG. 12B ,  FIG. 12C , and  FIG. 14 ,  FIG. 15  that are shown below. 
       FIG. 14  is a first flow chart for explaining setting operation in embodiment  2  of scanner of the present invention;  FIG. 15  is a second flow chart for explaining setting operating in embodiment 2 of scanner of the present invention. 
     Here, in the host PC  12 , it is to perform an explanation in the case that the rectangular region  51 - 1 ,  51 - 2  and  51 - 3  ( FIG. 11A ) are designated in order as a designation read range with respect to the manuscript image  50 . Moreover, the detailed explanation of the same process as embodiment 1 is omitted. 
     In the scanner  41 , the scanner communicating section  19 , after received coordinate “a”, coordinate “c”, designation resolution information and designation color mode information that correspond to the rectangular region  51 - 1  ( FIG. 11A ) from the host PC 12  (step S 301 ), the scanner controlling section  47  sends the coordinate “a”, the coordinate “c”, the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information that are received to the designating section  44  in order to set the rectangular region  51 - 1  as designation read range. Here, coordinate “a” (50, 50), coordinate “c” (250, 150), designation resolution information “200 dpi” and designation color mode information “color” are sent from the scanner controlling section  47  to the designating section  44 . 
     The designating section  44 , after received coordinate “a”, coordinate “c”, designation resolution information and designation color mode information, stores these information temporarily; and judges whether or not there is designation read range of setting end in the setting storing section  43  (step S 401 ). The designating section  44  judges that there is no designation read range of setting end (step S 401 ). 
     On the basis of this judgment result, the designating section  44  designates range number of read order of the rectangular region  51 - 1  as “1” (step S 402 ). Then, the designating section  44  makes the setting storing section  43  store the coordinate “a”, the coordinate “c”, the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information and correspond to designated range number “1” (step S 402 ). In the setting storing section  43 , coordinate item “a” (50, 50), coordinate item “c” (250, 150), designation resolution item “200 dpi” and designation color mode item “color” that correspond to the range number “i” are respectively stored ( FIG. 12A ). 
     Continuously, the scanner controlling section  47  informs the host PC  12  of setting completion of the designation read range through the scanner communicating section  19  (step S 403 ). 
     The host PC 12 , after informed of the setting completion from the scanner  41 , nest, designates the rectangular region  51 - 2  ( FIG. 11A ) as a read range, and sends coordinate “a” (400, 200), coordinate “c” ( 450 ,  550 ), designation resolution information “300 dpi” and designation color mode information “gray scale” to the scanner  41 . 
     In the scanner  41 , after the scanner communicating section  19  receives coordinate “a”, coordinate “c”, designation resolution information and designation color mode information that correspond to the rectangular region  51 - 2  from the host PC 12  (step S 301 ), the scanner controlling section  47  sends the coordinate “a”, the coordinate “c”, the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information that were received to the designating section  44 . 
     The designating section  44  stores the coordinate “a”, the coordinate “c”, the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information that were received temporarily; and judges whether or not there is designation read range of setting end in the setting storing section  43  (step S 401 ). Because the rectangular region  51 - 1  corresponding to range number “1” is setting end as designation read range in the setting storing section  43 , the designating section  44  judges that there is designation read range of setting end (step S 401 ). 
     Next, the designating section  44  reads out designation read range number n of setting end (step S 305 ). The designating section  44  reads out n=1 (step S 305 ). 
     Continuously, the designating section  44  regards range number as “i=1” (step S 306 ), compares the “i” with the designation read range number n of setting end in the setting storing section  43 , and then judges whether or not i&gt;n (step S 307 ). Here, because i=n=1, the designating section  44  judges that it is not i&gt;n (step S 307 ). 
     Next, the designating section  44  reads out y-coordinate value y a2  from coordinate “a” of the rectangular region  51 - 2 ; reads out y-coordinate value y a1  from coordinate “a” of setting end corresponding to the range number “i=1”; compares y a2  and y a1 ; and then judges their magnitude (step S 308 ). Here, because y a2 =200 and y a1 =50, the designating section  44  judges that y a2 &gt;y a1  (step S 308 ). On the basis of this, the designating section  44  judges that the read order of the rectangular region  51 - 2  ranks after the read order of the rectangular region  31 - 1  corresponding to range number “i=1”. 
     Then, the designating section  44  adds 1 to range number “i=1”, and the range number becomes “i=2” (step S 311 ). At this time, because designation read range number of setting end is n=1, the designating section  44  judges i&gt;n, that is, the designation read range number corresponding to the range number has not been set (step S 307 ). 
     On the basis of this judgment, the designating section  44  designates range number of the rectangular region  51 - 2  as “i=2” to store coordinate “a” (400, 200), coordinate “c” (450, 550), designation resolution information “300 dpi” and designation color mode information “gray scale” of the rectangular region  31 - 2  in the storing section  43 , and to correspond to range number “2” that is designated, as shown of  FIG. 12A  (step S 405 ). 
     Continuously, the scanner controlling section  47  informs the host PC  12  of setting completion of designation read range through the scanner communicating section  19  (step S 403 ). 
     The host PC  12 , after informed of the setting completion from the scanner  41 , continuously, designates the rectangular region  51 - 3  ( FIG. 11A ) as range number, and sends coordinate “a” (100, 100), coordinate “c” (350, 300), designation resolution information “600 dpi” and designation color mode information “monochrome” of the rectangular region  51 - 3  to the scanner  41 . 
     In the scanner  41 , after the scanner communicating section  19  receives the coordinate “a”, the coordinate “c”, the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information that correspond to the rectangular region  51 - 3  from the host PC  12  (step S 301 ), the scanner controlling section  47  sends the coordinate “a”, the coordinate “c”, the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information that were received to the designating section  44 . 
     The designating section  44  temporarily stores the coordinate “a”, the coordinate “c”, the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information that were received; and judges whether or not there is designation read range of setting end in the setting storing section  43  (step S 401 ). Because the rectangular region  51 - 1  corresponding to range number “1” and the rectangular region  51 - 2  corresponding to range number “2” are setting end as respectively designation read ranges in the setting storing section  43 , the designating section  44  judges there is designation read range of setting end (step S 401 ), and reads out designation read range number n=2 of setting end (step S 305 ). 
     Continuously, the designating section  44  regards range number as “i=1” (step S 306 ), but not i&gt;n, that is, judges that the designation read range corresponding to the range number “i=1” has been set (step S 307 ). 
     Next, the designating section  44  reads out y-coordinate value y a3  from coordinate “a” of the rectangular region  51 - 3 ; reads out y-coordinate value y a1  from coordinate “a” of setting end corresponding to the range number “i=1”; compares y a3  and y a1 ; and then judges their magnitude (step S 308 ). Here, because y a3 =100 and y a1 =50, the designating section  44  judges that y a3 &gt;y a1  (step S 308 ). On the basis of this, the designating section  44  judges that the read order of the rectangular region  51 - 3  ranks after the read order of the rectangular region  31 - 1  corresponding to range number “i=1”. 
     Next, the designating section  44  adds 1 to range number “i=1”, and the range number becomes “i=2” (step S 311 ). At this time, because read range number of setting end is n=2, the designating section  44  judges that it is not i&gt;n, that is, the designation read range number corresponding to the range number “i=2” has not been set (step S 307 ). 
     Continuously, the designating section  44  reads out y-coordinate value y a2  from coordinate “a” of setting end corresponding to the range number “i=2”; compares y a3  and y a2 ; and then judges their magnitude (step S 308 ). Here, because y a3 =100 and y a2 =200, the designating section  44  judges that y a3 &lt;y a2  (step S 308 ). On the basis of this, the designating section  44  judges that the read order of the rectangular region  51 - 3  ranks before the read order of the rectangular region  31 - 2  corresponding to range number “i=2”. 
     On the basis of this judgment, the designating section  44  adds 1 to the range number “i=2”, and changes the range number into “i=3” in order to rank t′e read order of designation read range which is set corresponding to range number “i=2” after the re ad order of rectangular region  51 - 3  in the setting storing section  43  (step S 309 ). 
     Continuously, the designating section  44  designates range number of the rectangular region  51 - 3  as “i=2” to store coordinate “a” (100, 100), coordinate “c” (350, 300), designation resolution information “600 dpi” and designation color mode information “monochrome” of the rectangular region  51 - 3  in the storing section  43 , and to correspond to range number “2” that is designated, as shown of  FIG. 12B  (step S 405 ). 
     Continuously, the scanner controlling section  47  informs the host PC  12  of setting completion of designation read range through the scanner communicating section  19  (step S 403 ). 
     After the host PC  12  is informed of setting completion from the scanner  41 , when the selecting and inputting section  15  sends a read request, the read request will be sent to the scanner  41 . 
     In the scanner  41 , after the scanner communicating section  19  receives the read request from the host PC  12  (step S 312 ), the scanner controlling section  47  completes setting process of designation read range in order to begin a reading process of each read range. 
     As stated above, the read order of each read range that was designated is designated in the host PC 12 ; and the read condition that was designated as designation read range is set in the setting storing section  43 . 
     Moreover, in step S 308 , after it is judged that it is not y an+1 &lt;y an , and when it is judged that y an+1 =y an  (step S 406 ), the designating section  44  furthermore reads out the y-coordinate value y cn+1  from coordinate “c” that was received from the scanner controlling section  47 ; reads out the y-coordinate value y ci  from coordinate “c” corresponding to range number “i”; compares these; and then judges their magnitude (step S 407 ). If it is y cn+1 &gt;y ci , the designating section  44  judges that the read order of read range n+1 ranks before the read order of designation read range of range number “i”, and performs following process of step S 309 . If it is y cn+1 ≦y ci , the designating section  44  judges that the read order of read range n+1 ranks after the read order of designation read range of range number “i”, and performs following process of step S 311 . 
     Next, it is to explain about the flow of reading process through the scanner  41  with respect to respective designation read ranges that are set by using  FIG. 11A  and  FIG. 11B ,  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17  that are shown below. 
       FIG. 16  is a first flow chart for explaining read operation in embodiment 2 of scanner of the present invention. 
     Here, it is to explain an example in the case that rectangular region  51 - 1 ,  51 - 3  and  51 - 2  ( FIG. 11A ) as designation read ranges with respect to the manuscript image  50  are respectively set to correspond to range number “1”, “2” and “3” ( FIG. 12B ) in the setting storing section  43  as explained by using  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15 . Moreover, detailed explanation about the same process as embodiment 1 is omitted. 
     In the scanner  41 , after the scanner communication section  19  receives the read request from the host PC  12  (step S 312 ), the scanner controlling section  47 , firstly, regards range number as i=1 (step S 314 ). Then, the scanner controlling section  47  makes coordinate item “A” store coordinate “a” (x a1 , y a1 )=(50, 50) of setting end corresponding to i=1 as coordinate “A” (x A1 , y A1 ) in the setting storing section  43  (step S 501 ). 
     Continuously, the scanner controlling section  47  reads out designation read range number n of setting end from the setting storing section  43  (step S 502 ). In the setting storing section ( FIG. 12B ), because three designation read ranges are setting end, so the scanner controlling section  47  reads out n=3 (step S 502 ). 
     Next, the scanner controlling section  47  compares range number “i” with the designation read range number n that are read out, and judges whether or not i=n in order to judge whether or not designation read ranges corresponding to range number “i” and range number “i+1” are set (step S 503 ). Here, according to i=1 and n=3, it is judged that i≠n, that is, the corresponding designation read ranges are set (step S 503 ). 
     Next, the scanner controlling section  47  informs the judging and selecting section  45  of the range number “i=1” in order to judge whether or not there is overlapping between designation read range of setting end corresponding to the range number “i=1”, i.e. the rectangular region  51 - 1  ( FIG. 11A ) and designation read range of setting end corresponding to the range number “i=2”, i.e. the rectangular region  51 - 3  ( FIG. 11A ) from the setting storing section  43  ( FIG. 12B ) in the auxiliary scan direction. 
     The judging and selecting section  45 , after received the range number “i=1”, from the setting storing section  43 , reads out y-coordinate value y c1 =150 of coordinate “c” (x c1 , y c1 )=(250, 150) corresponding to the range number “i=1”; reads out y-coordinate value y a2 =100 of coordinate “a” (x a2 , y a2 )=(100, 100) corresponding to the range number “i=2”; compares these; and judges their magnitude (step S 504 ). Here, because y c1 &gt;y a2  (step S 504 ), the judging and selecting section  45  judges that there is overlapping in the respective designation read ranges of range number “i=1” and range number “i=2” (step S 505 ). 
     On the basis of this judgment result, the judging and selecting section  45  sets coordinate “A” corresponding to the range number “i=2” to (x c1 , y c1 )=(250, 150) on the basis of the x-coordinate value x a2 =100 of coordinate “a” (x a2 , y a2 )=(100, 100) corresponding to the range number “i=2” and the y-coordinate value y c1 =150 of coordinate “c” (x c1 , y c1 )=(250, 150) corresponding to the range number “i=1”. Then, the judging and selecting section  45  makes coordinate item “A” corresponding to the range number “i=2” store the coordinate “A” (step S 506 ). 
     Continuously, the judging and selecting section  45  reads out x-coordinate value x Ai =50 from coordinate “A” (x Ai , y A1 )=(50, 50) corresponding to the range number “i=1”; reads out x-coordinate value x A2 =100 of coordinate “A” (x A2 , y c1 )=(100, 150) corresponding to the range number “i=2”; compares these; and then judges their magnitude (step S 507 ). 
     When it is judged that x A1 &gt;x A2  (step S 506 ), the judging and selecting section  45  changes the x-coordinate value x A1  of coordinate “A” corresponding to the range number “i=1” to the range number “i=1” into x-coordinate value x A2  of coordinate “A” corresponding to the range number “i=2” (step S 508 ). 
     Here, because the judging and selecting section  45  judges that x A1 ≦x A2  (step S 507 ), so the coordinate “A” of the range number “i=1” is not changed, but the judging and selecting section  45  moves operation of the next step. 
     The judging and selecting section  45  reads out x-coordinate value x c1 =250 from coordinate “c” (x c1 , y c1 )=(250, 150) corresponding to the range number “i=1”; reads out x-coordinate value x c2 =350 from coordinate “c” (x c2 , y c2 )=(250, 150) corresponding to the range number “i=2”; compares these; and then judges their magnitude (step S 509 ). 
     When it is judged that x c1 &lt;x c2  (step S 509 ), the judging and selecting section  45  sets the coordinate “C” corresponding to the range number “i=1” to (xc 2 , yc 1 )=(350, 150) on the basis of the y-coordinate value of coordinate “c” corresponding to the range number “i=1” and the x-coordinate value of coordinate “c” corresponding to the range number “i=2”. Then, the judging and selecting section  45  makes the coordinate item “C” corresponding to the range number “i=1” store the coordinate “C” (step S 510 ). 
     Moreover, in step S 509 , when it is judged that xc 1 &gt;xc 2 , the judging and selecting section  45  makes the corresponding coordinate item “C” store the coordinate “c” (xc 1 , y c1 ) corresponding to the range number “i=1” as coordinate “C” (step S 511 ). 
     When the coordinate “C” corresponding to the range number “i=1” is set, the judging and selecting section  45  reads out designation resolution information “200 dpi” corresponding to the rang number “i=1” and designation resolution information “600 dpi” corresponding to the range number “i=2” from the setting storing section  43 , compares them, and then selects the “600 dpi” as prior resolution information (step S 512 ). The judging and selecting section  45  sets the prior resolution information “600 dpi” to correspond to the range number “i=1” in the setting storing section  43  (step S 512 ). 
     Further, the judging and selecting section  45  reads out designation color mode information “color” corresponding to the range number “i=1” and designation color mode information “monochrome” corresponding to the range number “i=2” from the setting storing section  43 , and compares them, and then selects the “color” as prior color mode information (step S 512 ). The judging and selecting section  45  sets the prior color mode information “color” to correspond to the range number “i=1” in the setting storing section  43  (step S 512 ). 
     When setting of the prior resolution information and the prior color mode information that correspond to the range number “i=1” are completed, the judging and setting section  45  informs the scanner controlling section  47  of setting completion with the range number “i=1”. 
     The scanner controlling section  47 , after received the information of setting completion from the judging and selecting section  45 , reads out coordinate “A” (50, 50), coordinate “C” (350, 150), prior resolution information “600 dpi” and prior color mode information “color” that correspond to the informed range number “i=1” from the setting storing section  43  (step S 513 ). 
     Then, the scanner controlling section  47  informs the reading section  42  of the respective information that was read out, to execute reading process with respect to the prior read range corresponding to the range number i=1, i.e. the rectangular region  53 - 1  ( FIG. 11B ). The reading section  42 , firstly, when parallel moving in the auxiliary scan direction to the position of y-coordinate value y A1 =50 of coordinate “A” that is informed, reads the one line part of image from x-coordinate value x A1 =50 of coordinate “A” to x-coordinate value x C1 =350 of coordinate “C”, and sends it to the image storing section  23  to store it. At this time, the reading section  42  reads the image in the interval of 600 dpi (dot/inch) in the main scan direction in color mode. Further, the image storing section  23 , while continuing to parallel move furthermore, reads one line part of image from X A1 =50 to x C1 =350 every advancing 1/600 inch in the auxiliary scan direction, and sends the image data to the image storing section  23  to store it. The reading section  42  repeats the reading process from the position of y-coordinate value y A1 =50 of coordinate “A” to the position of y-coordinate value y C1 =150 of coordinate “C”. By this, the read of the image of the rectangular region  53 - 1  is completed, and image data of the image, i.e. prior image is stored in image storing section  23 . 
     When the read is completed, the scanner controlling section  47 , when adding 1 to the range number “i=1”, and then the range number becomes “i=2” (step S 319 ), compares the “i” with designation read range number n, judges whether or not i=n in order to judge whether or not designation read ranges corresponding to the range number “i” and the range number “i+1” have been set (step S 503 ). Here, according to i= 2  and n=3, it is judged that i≠n, that is, the corresponding designation read ranges have been set (step S 503 ). 
     Next, the scanner controlling section  47  informs the judging and selecting section  45  of the range number “i=2” in order to judge whether or not there is overlapping between designation read range of setting end corresponding to the range number “i=2”, i.e. the rectangular region  51 - 3  ( FIG. 11A ) and designation read range of setting end corresponding to the range number “i=2”, i.e. the rectangular region  51 - 2  ( FIG. 11A ) from the setting storing section  43  ( FIG. 12B ). 
     The judging and selecting section  45  reads out y-coordinate value y c2 =300 of coordinate “c” (x c2 , y c2 )=(350, 300) corresponding to the range number “i=2” and y-coordinate value y a3 =200 of coordinate “a” (x a3 , y a3 )=(400, 200) corresponding to the range number “i=3” from the setting storing section  43 , and compares these, and judges their magnitude (step S 504 ). Then, because y c2 &gt;y a3  (step S 504 ), the judging and selecting section  45  judges that there is overlapping in the respective designation read ranges of range number “i=2” and range number “i=3” (step S 505 ). 
     Continuously, the judging and selecting section  45  sets coordinate “A” corresponding to the range number “i=3” to (x a3 , y c2 )=(400, 300) on the basis of the x-coordinate value x a3 =400 of coordinate “a” (x a3 , y a3 )=(400, 200) corresponding to the range number “i=3” and the y-coordinate value y c2 =300 of coordinate “c” (x c2 , y c2 )=(350, 300) corresponding to the range number “i=2”. Then, the judging and selecting section  45  makes coordinate item “A” corresponding to the range number “i=3” store the coordinate “A” (step S 506 ). 
     Then, the judging and selecting section  45  reads out x-coordinate value x A2 =100 from coordinate “A” (x A2 , y A2 )=(100, 150) corresponding to the range number “i=2” and x-coordinate value x A3 =100 of coordinate “A” (x A3 , y A3 )=(400, 300) corresponding to the range number “i=3”; compares these; and then judges their magnitude (step S 507 ). 
     When it is judged that x A2 ≦x A3  (step S 507 ), the judging and selecting section  45  reads out x-coordinate value x c2 =350 of coordinate “c” (x c2 , y c2 )=(350, 300) corresponding to the range number “i=2” and x-coordinate value x c3 =100 of coordinate “c” (x c3 , y c3 )=(450, 550) corresponding to the range number “i=3”; compares these; and then judges their magnitude (step S 507 ). 
     When it is judged that x c2 &lt;x c3  (step S 509 ), the judging and selecting section  45  sets coordinate “C” corresponding to the range number “i=2” to (x c3 , y c2 )=(450, 300) on the basis of the y-coordinate value y c2  of coordinate “c” corresponding to the range number “i=2” and the x-coordinate value x c3 =300 of coordinate “c” corresponding to the range number “i=3”. Then, the judging and selecting section  45  makes coordinate item “C” corresponding to the range number “i=2” store the coordinate “C” (step S 510 ). 
     When the coordinate “C” corresponding to the range number “i=2” is set, the judging and selecting section  45  reads out designation resolution information “600 dpi” corresponding to the rang number “i=2” and designation resolution information “300 dpi” corresponding to the range number “i=3” from the setting storing section  43 , compares them, and then selects the “600 dpi” as prior resolution information (step S 512 ). The judging and selecting section  45  sets the prior resolution information “600 dpi” to correspond to the range number “i=2” in the setting storing section  43  (step S 512 ). 
     Further, the judging and selecting section  45  reads out designation color mode information “monochrome” corresponding to the range number “i=2” and designation color mode information “gray scale” corresponding to the range number “i=3” from the setting storing section  43 , and compares them, and then selects the “gray scale” as prior color mode information (step S 512 ). The judging and selecting section  45  sets the prior color mode information “gray scale” to correspond to the range number “i=2” in the setting storing section  43  (step S 512 ). 
     When setting of the prior resolution information and the prior color mode information that correspond to the range number “i=2” are completed, the judging and setting section  45  informs the scanner controlling section  47  of setting completion with the range number “i=2”. 
     The scanner controlling section  47 , after received the information of setting completion from the judging and selecting section  45 , reads out coordinate “A” (100, 150), coordinate “C” (450, 300), prior resolution information “600 dpi” and prior color mode information “gray scale” that correspond to the informed range number “i=2” that is informed, from the setting storing section  43  (step S 513 ). 
     Then, the scanner controlling section  47  informs the reading section  42  of the respective information that was read out, to execute reading process with respect to the prior read range corresponding to the range number “i=2”, i.e. the rectangular region  53 - 2  ( FIG. 11B ). Because y C1 =y A2 =150, the reading section  42  begins reading process with respect to prior read range corresponding to the range number “i=2” from the completion position of reading process with respect to prior read range corresponding to the range number “i=1”. The reading section  42  reads the one line part of image from x-coordinate value x A2 =100 of coordinate “A” to x-coordinate value x C2 =450 of coordinate “C”, and sends it to the image storing section  23  to store it. At this time, the reading section  42  reads the image in the interval of 600 dpi (dot/inch) in the main scan direction in gray scale mode. The image storing section  23 , while parallel moving in the auxiliary scan direction, reads one line part of image from x A2 =100 to x C2 =450 every advancing 1/600 inch, and sends the image data to the image storing section  23  to store it corresponding to coordinate value. The reading section  42  repeats the reading process from the position of y-coordinate value y A2 =150 of coordinate “A” to the position of y-coordinate value y C2 =300 of coordinate “C”. By this, the read of the prior image from the rectangular region  53 - 2  is completed (step S 514 ). 
     When the read is completed, the scanner controlling section  47 , when adding 1 to the range number “i=2”, and then the range number becomes “i=3” (step S 319 ), compares the “i” with designation read range number n, judges whether or not i=n in order to judge whether or not designation read ranges corresponding to the range number “i” and the range number “i+1” have been set (step S 503 ). Here, according to i=3 and n=3, it is judged that i=n, that is, the designation read ranges corresponding to “i=4” have not been set (step S 503 ). 
     By this, because it is unnecessary to judge that whether or not there is overlapping with the designation read range of the range number “i=4”, the scanner controlling section  47  makes the coordinate item “C” store coordinate “c” (x c3 , y c3 )=(450, 550) of setting end corresponding to the range number “i=3” as coordinate “C” (x C3 , y C3 ) (step S 515 ). 
     Then, the scanner controlling section  47  reads out coordinate “A” (400, 300), coordinate “C” (450, 550), designation resolution information “600 dpi” and designation color mode information “gray scale” that correspond to the range number “i=3” from the setting storing section  43  (step S 516 ). Then, the image is read and stored from prior read range corresponding to the range number “i=3”, i.e. the rectangular region  51 - 3  on the basis of the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information. The reading section  42  reads the one line part of image from x-coordinate value x A3 =400 of coordinate “A” to x-coordinate value x C3 =450 of coordinate “C”, and sends it to the image storing section  23  to store it. At this time, the reading section  42  reads the image in the interval of 300 dpi (dot/inch) in the main scan direction in gray scale mode. The image storing section  23 , while parallel moving in the auxiliary scan direction, reads one line part of image from x A3 =400 to x c3 =450 every advancing 1/300 inch, and sends the image data to the image storing section  23  to store it corresponding to coordinate value. The reading section  42  repeats the reading process from the position of y-coordinate value y A3 =300 of coordinate “A” to the position of y-coordinate value y C3 =550 of coordinate “C”. By this, the read of the prior image from the rectangular region  53 - 3  is completed (step S 517 ), and the reading process in the scanner  41  is completed. 
     As stated above, after it is judged that whether or not there is overlapping in the auxiliary scan direction of each designation read range, the prior read range is set, and the reading process of the prior image is executed. 
     Moreover, in step S 504 , when y ci ≦y ai+1 , the judging and selecting section  45  judges that there is no overlapping in respective designation read ranges of the range number “i” and the range number “i+1” (step S 518 ). Then, the judging and selecting  45  regards coordinate “a” (x ai+1 , y ai+1 ) corresponding to range number “i+1” as coordinate “A”, and makes the coordinate item “A” corresponding to range number “i+1” store it (step S 519 ). Further, the judging and selecting  45  regards coordinate “c” (x ci , y ci ) corresponding to range number “i” as coordinate “C”, and makes the coordinate item “C” corresponding to range number “i” store it (step S 519 ). 
     Then, the scanner controlling section  47  reads out coordinate “A”, coordinate “C”, designation resolution information and designation color mode information that correspond to range number “i” from the setting storing section  43  (step S 520 ), and reads and stores the prior image from prior read range on the basis of the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information through the reading section  42  (step S 521 ). 
     Next, it is to explain the flow of process that changes the image data, i.e. the prior image that read and obtained images of respective prior read ranges from the manuscript image  50  ( FIG. 11B ) into the image data, i.e. designation images corresponding to respective prior read ranges, and sends it to the host PC  12  in the scanner  41  by using  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19 . 
       FIG. 18  is a first flow chart for explaining change sending operation in embodiment 2 of scanner of the present invention;  FIG. 19  is a second flow chart for explaining change sending operation in embodiment 2 of scanner of the present invention. 
     In the scanner  41 , the scanner controlling section  47 , firstly, regards the range number as “i=1” (step S 601 ).  25  Continuously, the scanner controlling section  47  judges whether or not the prior resolution information and the prior color mode information that correspond to range number “1” are set in the setting storing section  43  ( FIG. 12C ) (step S 602 ). When it is judged that they are set (step S 602 ), the scanner controlling section  47  judges that there is overlapping between the designation read range of the range number “i=1” and the designation read range of the range number i=2 (step S 603 ). 
     When it is judged that there is overlapping (step S 603 ), the scanner controlling section  47 , firstly, performs the following process in order to obtain the image data of overlapping part contained in the prior image from the prior range corresponding to the prior read range of the range number “i=1”, i.e. the rectangular region  53 - 1  ( FIG. 11B ). 
     The scanner controlling section  47  reads out coordinate “a” (x a2 , y a2 )=(100, 100) corresponding to the range number “i=2” and coordinate “C” (x ci , y ci )=(350, 150) corresponding to the range number “i=1” from the setting storing section  43 . Further, the scanner controlling section  47  reads out prior resolution information “600 dpi” and prior color mode information “color” that correspond to the range number “i=1”, and designation resolution information “600 dpi” and designation color mode “monochrome” that correspond to range number “i=2” from the setting storing section  43 . Then, the scanner controlling section  47  sends these coordinate “a” (x a2 , y a2 ), coordinate “C” (x C1 , y C1 ), prior resolution information, prior color mode information, designation resolution information and designation color mode information to the changing section  46 . 
     When the changing section  46 , after received the coordinate “a” (x a2 , y a2 ), the coordinate “C” (x C1 , y C1 ), the prior resolution information, the prior color mode information, the information from the scanner controlling section  47 , reads out the prior image corresponding to the range number “i=1” from the image storing section  23 . Then, the coordinate region (x, y) that is designated by the coordinate “a” (x a2 , y a2 ) and the coordinate “C” (x C1 , y C1 ), that is, the image data of (x a2 , y a2 )≦(x, y)≦(x C1 , y C1 ) is read out from the prior image. The coordinate region corresponds to the rectangular region  57  (the region of oblique lines) on which the top point  51   a - 3  that is designated by the coordinate “a” (x a2 , y a2 ) and the top point  53 C- 1  that is designated by the coordinate “C” (x C1 , y C1 )are respective regarded as top points in the manuscript image  50  shown in  FIG. 11B . The image data is recorded as the image data of overlapping part, i.e. the overlapping part in respective designation read ranges of range number “i=1” and range number “i=2”. 
     The overlapping image is composed of the obtained image data on the basis of the prior resolution information “600 dpi” and the prior color mode information “color” that correspond to the range number “i=1” through the reading section  42 . The changing section  46  changes the overlapping image into the image data, i.e. change overlapping image I 2  on the basis of the designation resolution information “600 dpi” and the designation color mode information “monochrome” that correspond to the range number “i=2” (step S 604 ). The changing section  46  changes the color image to the monochrome image, then obtains the change overlapping image I 2 , and then sends the change overlapping image I 2  to the image storing section  23  to store it (step S 604 ). 
     Continuously, the scanner controlling  47  reads out coordinate “A” (x A1 , y A1 )=(50, 50), coordinate “c” (x c1 , y c1 )=(250, 150), designation resolution information “200 dpi”, designation color mode information “color”, prior resolution information “600 dpi” and prior color mode information “color” that correspond to the range number “i=1” from the setting storing section  43  ( FIG. 12C ), and then sends them to the changing section  46 . 
     The changing section  46 , after received the coordinate “A” (x A1 , y A1 ), the coordinate “c” (x c1 , y c1 ), the designation resolution information, the designation color mode information, the prior resolution information and the prior color mode information from the scanner controlling  47 , reads out prior image corresponding to range number “i=1” from the image storing section  23 . Then, the coordinate region (x, y) that is designated by the coordinate “A” (x A1 , y A1 ) and the coordinate “c” (x c1 , y c1 ), that is, the image data of (x A1 , y A1 )≦(x, y)≦(x c1 , y c1 ) is read out from the prior image. The coordinate region corresponds to the rectangular region  51 - 1  in the manuscript image  50  shown in  FIG. 11A . 
     The changing section  46  changes the obtained prior image on the basis of the prior resolution information “600 dpi” and the prior color mode information “color” that correspond to the range number “i=1” into the image data, i.e. the change image on the basis of the designation resolution information “200 dpi” and the designation color mode information “color” that correspond to the range number “i=1” (step S 605 ). The changing section  46  changes the obtained prior image in high resolution of “600 dpi” into low resolution of “200 dpi”, and then obtains the change image (step S 605 ). 
     Moreover, the change image is formed from the image data expect the image data of overlapping part, i.e. change overlapping image I i  with the designation read range corresponding to range number “i−1” from the image data of the designation read range corresponding to the range number “1”. 
     Next, the changing section  46  judges whether or not the change overlapping image I 1  corresponding to range number “i=1” is stored in the image storing setting  23  (step S 606 ). When it is judged that the change overlapping image I 1  has not been stored (step S 606 ), the changing section  46  sends the change image that is obtained in step S 605  as image data of the designation read range, i.e. designation image corresponding to the range number “i=1” (step S 608 ), to the scanner controlling section  47 . 
     The scanner controlling section  47 , after received the designation image corresponding to the range number “i=1” from the changing section  46 , sends the designation image to the host PC  12  through the scanner communicating section  19  (step S 609 ). 
     Continuously, the scanner controlling section  47  adds 1 to the range number “i=1”, then the range number becomes “i=2” (step S 610 ). Then, the scanner controlling section  47  judges whether or not the read range corresponding to the range number “i=2” has been set (step S 611 ). 
     When it is judged that the read range has been set (step S 611 ), the scanner controlling section  47  judges whether or not the prior resolution information and the prior color mode information that correspond to the range number “i=2” are set in the setting storing section  43  (step S 602 ). In the setting storing section  43  ( FIG. 11C ), because the prior resolution information and the prior color mode information that correspond to the range number “i=2” have been set, so the scanner controlling section  47  judges that there is overlapping in respective designation read ranges of the range number “i=2” and “i=3” (step S 603 ). 
     Next, the scanner controlling section  47  reads out coordinate “a” (x a3 , y a3 )=(400, 200) corresponding to the range number “i=3” and coordinate “C” (x C2 , y C2 )=(450, 300) corresponding to the range number “i=2” from the setting storing section  43 . Further, the scanner controlling section  47  reads out prior resolution information “600 dpi” and prior color mode information “gray scale” that correspond to the range number “i=2”, and designation resolution information “300 dpi” and designation color mode “gray scale” that correspond to range number “i=3” from the setting storing section  43 . Then, the scanner controlling section  47  sends these coordinate “a” (x a3 , y a3 ), coordinate “C” (x C2 , y C2 ), prior resolution information, prior color mode information, designation resolution information and designation color mode information to the changing section  46 . 
     Then, the changing section  46  reads out the prior image corresponding to the range number “i=2” from the image storing section  23 , and reads out the designation coordinate region (x, y) that is designated by the “a” (x a3 , y a3 ), coordinate “C” (x C2 , y C2 ), that is, the image data of (x a3 , y a3 )≦(x, y)≦(x C2 , y C2 ) as overlapping image from the prior image. 
     Continuously, the changing section  46  changes the overlapping image that was read out on the basis of the prior resolution information “600 dpi” and the prior color mode information “gray scale”, and obtains the change overlapping image I 3  on the basis of the designation resolution information “300 dpi” and the designation color mode information “gray scale” (step S 604 ). The obtained change overlapping image I 3  is sent to the image storing section  23  to store it (step S 604 ). 
     Next, the scanner controlling  47  reads out coordinate “A” (x A2 , y A2 )=(100, 150), coordinate “c” (x c2 , y c2 )=(350, 300), designation resolution information “600 dpi”, designation color mode information “monochrome”, prior resolution information “600 dpi” and prior color mode information “gray scale” that correspond to the range number “i=2” from the setting storing section  43  ( FIG. 12C ) in order to obtain the designation image corresponding to the range number “i=2”, and then sends them to the changing section  46 . 
     The changing section  46  reads out the prior image corresponding to range number “i=2” from the image storing section  23 , and reads out the coordinate region (x, y) that is designated by the coordinate “A” (x A2 , y A2 ) and the coordinate “c” (x c2 , y c2 ), that is, the image data of (x A2 , y A2 )≦(x, y)≦(x c2 , y c2 ) from the prior image. 
     Then, the changing section  46  changes the prior image that was obtained on the basis of the prior resolution information “600 dpi” and the prior color mode information “gray scale”, and obtains the change image on the basis of the designation resolution information “600 dpi” and the designation color mode information “monochrome” (step S 605 ). 
     Next, the changing section  46  judges whether or not the change overlapping image I 2  corresponding to range number “i=2” has been stored in the image storing section  23  (step S 606 ). Because the change overlapping image I 2  that is received from the prior image corresponding to the range number “i=1” has been stored, the changing section  46  judges that the change overlapping image I 2  has been stored in the image storing section  23  (step S 606 ), and reads out the change overlapping image I 2 . Then, the changing section  46  adds the change overlapping image I 2  to the change image that is obtained in step S 605 , and obtains the designation image corresponding to the range number “i=2” (step S 607 ). The changing section  46  sends the obtained designation image to the scanner controlling section  47 . 
     The scanner controlling section  47 , after received the designation image corresponding to the range number “i=2” from the changing section  46 , sends the designation image to the host PC  12  through the scanner communicating section  19  (step S 609 ). 
     Continuously, the scanner controlling section  47  adds 1 to the range number “i=2”, and the range number becomes “i=3” (step S 610 ). Then, the scanner controlling section  47  judges whether or not the read range corresponding to the range number “i=3” has been set (step S 611 ). 
     When it is judged that the read range has been set (step S 611 ), the scanner controlling section  47  judges whether or not the prior resolution information and the prior color mode information that correspond to the range number “i=3” have been set (step S 602 ). In the setting storing section  43  ( FIG. 11C ), because the prior resolution information and the prior color mode information that correspond to the range number “i=3” have not been set, the scanner controlling section  47  judges that there is no overlapping (step S 612 ). 
     When it is judged that there is no overlapping, the scanner controlling section  47  reads out the prior image of the range number “i=3” from the image storing section  23 , and obtains the prior image as change image corresponding to the range number “i=3” (step S 613 ). 
     Next, the changing section  46  judges whether or not the change overlapping image I 3  corresponding to range number “i=3” has been stored in the image storing section  23  (step S 606 ). Because the change overlapping image I 3  that is received from the prior image corresponding to the range number “i=2”, has been stored in the image storing section  23 , the c′anging section  46  judges that the change overlapping image  13  has been stored (step S 606 ), and reads out the change overlapping image I 3 . Then, the changing section  46  adds the change overlapping image I 3  to the change image that is obtained in step S 613 , and obtains the designation image corresponding to the range number “i=3” (step S 607 ). The changing section  46  sends the obtained designation image to the scanner controlling section  47 . 
     The scanner controlling section  47 , after received the designation image corresponding to the range number “i=3” from the changing section  46 , sends the designation image to the host PC  12  through the scanner communicating section  19  (step S 609 ). 
     Continuously, the scanner controlling section  47  adds 1 to the range number “i=3”, and the range number becomes “i=4” (step S 610 ). Then, when the scanner controlling section  47  judges that the read range corresponding to the range number “i=4” has not been set (step S 611 ), the change sending process in the scanner  41  is completed. 
     As stated above, the image changing process is executed with respect to the prior image that is read from each prior read range, and the designation image corresponding to each designation read range is obtained and is sent to the host PC  12 . 
     As stated above, in the scanner system  40  of this embodiment, when there is overlapping in the auxiliary scan direction, and different read conditions are set in plural read ranges that are designated in one manuscript image  50 , the scanner  41  selects any of the read conditions on the basis of the prior order, and obtains the overlapping image on the basis of the read condition. Then, the scanner  41  becomes possible to respectively obtain images corresponding to respective read ranges, and to send them to the host PC  12 , through changing on the basis of the respective read conditions that are designated. Therefore, even though the scan of the manuscript  13  is not repeated, but because it is possible to obtain the images of respective read ranges containing overlapping part corresponding to respective read conditions that are designated, it becomes possible to reduce read operation and to improve efficiency furthermore. 
     Moreover, in the present embodiment, the scanner  41 , after obtained all the prior images, performs image change, and executes sending to the host PC  12  of respective designation images, but it also possible to execute the image change and to send the designation images that correspond to the obtaining of respective prior images. 
     Further, in the present embodiment, a changing section has been set for image changing process in the scanner  41  side, but it is also possible to set image changing function in the host PC  12  side. It is to explain about this in detail in the following embodiment 3. 
     Embodiment 3 
       FIG. 20  is a block diagram showing a structure of a scanner system in embodiment 3 of the present invention. 
     The scanner  60  of the present embodiment is the structure that sets the changing section  67  in the host PC  62 , but it is different from embodiment 1 and embodiment 2. 
     Moreover, in the present embodiment, the same structure as embodiment 1 or embodiment 2 is shown by the same mark, and the detailed explanation about these is omitted. 
     The scanner system  60 , as shown by  FIG. 20 , comprises a scanner  61  as image reading apparatus and a host PC  62  as upper apparatus. The connection method between the scanner  61  and the host PC  62  is any of USB connection, parallel connection, network connection and the like. 
     The scanner  61 , as shown by  FIG. 20 , comprises a scanner communicating section  63 , a loading section  20 , a detecting section  21 , a reading section  42 , an image storing section  23 , a setting storing section  43 , a designating section  44 , a judging and selecting section  45  and a scanner controlling section  64 . 
     The scanner communicating section  63  performs sending and receiving the data in the interval of the host PC  62  as a receiving section and a sending section. The scanner communicating section  63  receives the prior image, setting range information, designation condition information and prior condition information that are corresponded (stated later), and then sends them to the host PC  62 . 
     The scanner controlling section  64  has a function of controlling each part of the scanner  61  as a controlling section. The scanner controlling section  64  reads out the prior images corresponding to respective range numbers i (i=1,2, . . . n) from the image storing section  23 ; and reads out the setting range information, that is, coordinate “a” (x ai , y ai ), coordinate “c” (x ci , y ci ), coordinate “A” (x Ai , y Ai ) and coordinate “C” (x Ci , y Ci ), the designation condition information, that is, designation resolution information and designation color mode information, and the prior condition information, that is, prior resolution information and prior color mode information that correspond to the range number i from the image storing section  43 ; and then sends them to the scanner communicating section  63 . 
     The host PC  62  is formed from personal computer (PC), as shown by  FIG. 20 , and comprises a displaying section  14 , a selecting and inputting section  15 , a PC communicating section  65 , a PC storing section  66 , a changing section  67  and a PC controlling section  68 . 
     The PC communicating section  65  has a function of performing the sending and receiving of the data in the interval of the scanner  61  as a upper sending section and a upper receiving section. The PC communicating section  65  receives image data of the manuscript image, prior image, setting range information and designation condition information and the like from the scanner  61 , and then sends them to the PC controlling section  68 . Further, the PC communicating section  65  receives the coordinate “a”, the coordinate “c”, the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information that correspond to respective read ranges from the PC controlling section  68 , and then sends them to the scanner  61 . 
     The PC storing section  66  stores the image data, the setting range information and the designation condition information and the like that are received from the scanner  61  on the basis of the control of the PC controlling  68 . 
     The changing section  67  changes the prior image that is read on the basis of the prior resolution information and the prior color mode information into change image on the basis of the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information. 
     The PC controlling section  68  performs control of each part in the host PC  62 . 
     Continuously, it is to explain operation of the scanner system  60  of the present embodiment. 
     Because the flow ( FIG. 6 ) of process pre-scanning the manuscript in the scanner  61  and the flow ( FIG. 7 ) of process designating plural read ranges in the host PC  62  are the same as these in embodiment 1, so the explanation is omitted. Further, in the scanner  61 , the flow ( FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15 ) of process setting respective designation read ranges is the same as it in embodiment 2, so the explanation is omitted. 
     Here, it is to perform explanation about the flow of the process that reads the prior images from respective prior read ranges and that sends them to the host PC  12  by using  FIG. 21  and  FIG. 22 . 
       FIG. 21  is a first flow chart for explaining read sending operation in embodiment 3 of scanner of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 22  is a second flow chart for explaining read sending operation in embodiment 3 of scanner of the present invention. 
     Here, in host PC  62 , an example is explained, that is, as designation read ranges with respect to manuscript image  50 , rectangular regions  51 - 1 ,  51 - 2  and  51 - 3  ( FIG. 11A ) are designated in order. Moreover, in the embodiment, the detailed explanation about the same treatment as embodiment 1 and embodiment 2 is omitted. 
     In the scanner  61 , when the scanner communicating section  63  receives the reading request from the host PC  62  and after the scanner controlling section  64  performs the setting of prior read range corresponding to a range number which is designated as i=1 (step S 314 ); the scanner controlling section  64  controls the reading section to read the prior image of range number i=1 from the prior read range based on the prior resolution information and the prior color mode information and controls the image storing section  23  to store it (step S 501 -step S 514 ). 
     Continuously, the scanner controlling section  64  reads the prior image of range number i=1 from the image storing section  23 . Moreover, the scanner controlling section  64  reads the coordinate “a” (x ai , y ai ), the coordinate “c” (x c1 , y c1 ), the coordinate “A” (x A1 , y A1 ) and the coordinate “C” (x C1 , y C1 ) that correspond to the range number i=1 from the setting storing section  43 , as setting range information corresponding to the range number. Further, the scanner controlling section  64  reads the designation resolution information and the designation color mode information that correspond to the range number i=1 from the setting storing section  43 , as designation condition information corresponding to the range number. Furthermore, the scanner controlling section  64  reads the prior resolution information and the prior color mode information that correspond to the range number i=1 from the setting storing section  43 , as the prior condition information. Then, the PC controlling section  64  sends the read prior image, the setting range information, the designation condition information and the prior condition information to host PC  62  by the scanner communicating section  63  (step S 701 ). 
     In host PC  62 , when the PC communicating section  65  receives the prior image, the setting range information, the designation condition information and the prior condition information, the PC controlling section  68  makes the PC storing section  66  store the respective data to correspond to the range number i=1. 
     Next, the PC controlling section  64  designates the range number as i= 2  (step S 319 ), and repeats the same process (step S 503 -step S 514 ). And, the PC communicating section  63  sends the prior image, the setting range information, the designation condition information and the prior condition information, correspond to range number i=2 to the host PC  62  (step S 701 ). 
     When the host PC  62  receives the prior image, the setting range information, the designation condition information and the prior condition information; makes the PC storing section  66  store the respective data to correspond to the range number i=2. 
     Continuously, the scanner controlling section  64 , after performed a setting of the prior read range corresponding to the range number which is designated as i=3 (step S 319 ), reads the prior image of range number i=3 from the prior read range based on the designation resolution information and designation color mode information by the reading section  42 ; and stores them in the image storing section  23  (step S 503 -step S 521 ). 
     Then, the PC controlling section  64  reads the prior image of range number i=3 from the image storing section  23 , and at the same time, reads the setting range information and the designation condition information that correspond to the range number i=3 from the setting storing section  43 ; and sends the prior image, the setting range information and the designation condition information to the host PC  62  by the scanner communicating section  63  (step S 703 ). Thereby, the reading and sending process in scanner  61  is ended. 
     In the host PC  62 , when the PC communicating section  65  receives the prior image, the setting range information and the designation condition information, the PC controlling section  68  makes the PC storing section  66  store the respective data to correspond to the range number i=3. 
     As stated above, after the prior image is read from each prior read range, the prior image is sent to host PC  62  together with the setting range information and the designation condition information. 
     Moreover, in step S 518 , when it is judged that there is no overlap in each designated reading range of range numbers “i” and “i+1”, after the processes from step S 519  to step S 521  are executed, the scanner  61  reads the prior image and the setting range information and the designation condition information that correspond to the range number “i”; and sends them to host PC  62  (step S 702 ). 
     When the host PC  62  receives the prior image, the setting range information and the designation condition information, the host PC  62  makes PC storing section  66  store these respective data to correspond to the range number “i”. 
     Next, in host PC  62 , it is to explain a flow of process that changes the prior image received from scanner  61  into designation image by using  FIG. 23  and  FIG. 24 . 
       FIG. 23  is a first flow chart for explaining change operation in embodiment 3 of scanner system of the present invention; and  FIG. 24  is a second flow chart for explaining change operation in embodiment 3 of scanner system of the present invention. 
     In the host PC  62 , when the selecting and inputting section  15  inputs a change request in order to request an execution of image change process (step S 801 ), the PC controlling section  68  sets i=1 as the range number firstly (step S 601 ). 
     Continuously, the PC controlling section  68  judges whether or not the prior condition information corresponding to the range number i, that is, prior resolution information and prior color mode information, is set in the PC storing section  66  (step S 602 ). When it judges that it is set (step S 602 ), the PC controlling section  68  judges that there is overlap in the designation reading ranges of the range number i=1 and range number i=2 (step S 603 ). 
     When it judges that there is overlap (step S 603 ), firstly, the changing section  46  reads the prior image, the coordinate “C” (x C1 , y C1 ) and the prior condition information that correspond to the range number i=1, and the coordinate “a” (x a2 , y a2 ) and the designation condition information that correspond to the range number i=2, from the PC storing section  66 . Then, the changing section  46  reads the overlapping image based on the prior condition information from the prior image of range number i= 1  on the basis of the coordinate “a” of the range number i=1 and the coordinate “c” of the range number i=2; changes the overlapping image into change overlapping image I 2  based on the designation condition information; and makes the change overlapping image I 2  be stored in the PC storing section  66  (step S 604 ). 
     Continuously, the changing section  67  changes the prior image of the range number i=1 on the basis of the coordinate “A” (x A1 , y A1 ) and the coordinate “C” (x c1 , y c1 ), the designation condition information and the prior condition information that correspond to the range number i=1; and then obtains a change image (step S 605 ); when the change overlapping image I 1  is judged that it is not stored in the PC storing section  66  (step S 606 ), makes the PC storing section  66  store the change image as designation image corresponding to the range number i=1 (step S 608 ). 
     When the designation image corresponding to the range number “i” is obtained, the PC controlling section  68  adds 1 to the range number i, and then it becomes i=i+1 (step S 610 ). Then, on the basis of a judgment to judge whether or not respective data corresponding to the range number are stored in the PC storing section  66 , the PC controlling section  68  judges whether or not the corresponding read range is set (step S 611 ); and when judged that it is set, obtains the designation image corresponding to the range number (step S 602 -step S 608 ). When it judges that it is not set (step S 611 ), the host PC  62  ends the change process. 
     As stated above, in the host PC  62 , with respect to the prior image that is received from the scanner  61 , the image change process toward designation image is executed. 
     As stated above, in the scanner system  60  of this embodiment, the changing section  67  is furnished in the host PC  62  for the image change process. In the host PC  62 , the image change process from the prior image to the designation image is executed. As a result, because the image change function is unnecessary in the scanner  61 , so it is possible to inhibit cost of scanner. 
     The Utilization Possibility on Industry: 
     As explained by the embodiments above, the present invention is applied to scanner. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, that is, is also possible to be applied to MFP. 
     Moreover, in the scanner  41  of the embodiment 2, it may be also possible to set a judging function to judge whether or not there is image change function in the host PC; and only in the case that there is no the image change function, to perform a control in order to perform the image change process executed by the changing section  46 . As a result, improvement with further efficiency becomes possible. 
     The present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments but many modifications and variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the appended claims of the invention.