Patent ID: 8194297

Claim:
A method for controlling an image reading apparatus, wherein the image reading apparatus has a memory unit, a photoelectric conversion unit that converts received light into an electric charge, a charge storage unit that includes a plurality of storage regions and stores the electric charge transferred from the photoelectric conversion unit, a transfer unit that transfers the retained electric charge, a first gate unit that is arranged between the photoelectric conversion unit and the charge storage unit, and a second gate unit that is arranged between the charge storage unit and the transfer unit and includes a plurality of gate regions comprising at least a first gate region and a second gate region, each of which corresponds to at least two adjacent storage regions of the charge storage unit, the method comprising: transferring the electric charge stored in the charge storage unit to the transfer unit via all of gate regions included in the second gate unit; driving the transfer unit for abandoning the electric charge retained by the transfer unit without accumulation in the memory unit; transferring the electric charge converted in the photoelectric conversion unit to the charge storage unit via the first gate unit; transferring the electric charge stored in the charge storage unit to the transfer unit via any one of the first gate region and the second gate region included the second gate unit; and driving the transfer unit for storing the electric charge retained by the transfer unit in the memory unit.