Patent ID: 7327498

Claim:
An image reader comprising: a CCD sensor which includes a first element to convert an achromatic information to a predetermined electric signal, a second element to convert an optional information of three primary elements of additive color mixture to a predetermined electric signal, a third element to convert a second information of three primary elements of additive color mixture to predetermined electric signal, and a fourth element to convert the remaining information of three elements of additive color mixture to a predetermined electric signal, and converts the image light from the reading object to an image signal by the first primary element or one of the second to fourth elements; a reading object holding table which holds the reading object to be able to radiate a light to the reading object from the opposite side to the reading object; an illumination unit which includes a first light-emitting unit capable of radiating a light with a first wavelength, and a second light-emitting unit capable of radiating a light with a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, and can illuminate the reading object held on the reading object holding table by one of the first light-emitting unit and second light-emitting unit, according to the information characteristic included in the reading object; an image information detection mechanism which detects whether the image information of the reading object on the reading object holding table is suitable for the light with a first wavelength or the light with a second wavelength; an image signal take-in condition setting unit which sets the first element or one of the second to fourth elements of the CCD sensor to take in the information, based on the detection result of the image information detection mechanism; and an illumination unit driving condition setting unit which sets one of the first light-emitting unit and second light-emitting unit to illuminate the reading object, based on the detection result of the image information detection mechanism.