Abstract: There are provided a platen on which an original is mounted, a line sensor that performs photoelectric conversion on light from the original on the platen, a first carriage that moves along the platen and guides the light from the original to the line sensor, a first housing that stores and supports the first carriage to be movable along the platen, first driving means for moving the first carriage, a second carriage provided with a plurality of rod-shaped light-source lamps that applies light to the original, a second housing that stores and supports the second carriage to be movable along the platen and covers the platen, second driving means for moving the second carriage, and control means for controlling the first driving means, the second driving means and lighting of the plurality of light-source lamps.

Abstract: A drive method of a CCD color image sensor for realizing an electronic shutter function with the signal charge accumulation time varying from one color to another according to a simple structure is provided. Unnecessary charges occurring in photoelectric conversion element groups of colors are transferred in shift registers in the time period in which signal charges are accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element groups of at least colors of R, G, and B (t2<t<t5), and the signal charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element groups of colors in response to different time periods according to the colors set in the photoelectric conversion element groups of colors (R: t4<t<t5, G: t3<t<t5, and B: t2<t<t5) are transferred in the shift registers in the time period in which unnecessary charges are accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element groups of colors (t0<t<t1).

Abstract: In order to switch to a light source with a light amount corresponding to the type of original from among a plurality of light sources in a simplified structure without using a specific switching mechanism in reading a transmissive original with a photoelectric sensor while moving, there are provided a platen on which an original is mounted, a line sensor that performs photoelectric conversion on light from the original on the platen, a first carriage that moves along the platen and guides the light from the original to the line sensor, a first housing that stores and supports the first carriage to be movable along the platen, first driving means for moving the first carriage, a second carriage provided with a plurality of rod-shaped light-source lamps that applies light to the original, a second housing that stores and supports the second carriage to be movable along the platen and covers the platen, second driving means for moving the second carriage, and control means for controlling the first driving mean

Abstract: A drive method of a CCD color image sensor for realizing an electronic shutter function with the signal charge accumulation time varying from one color to another according to a simple structure is provided. Unnecessary charges occurring in photoelectric conversion element groups of colors are transferred in shift registers in the time period in which signal charges are accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element groups of at least colors of R, G, and B (t2<t<t5), and the signal charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element groups of colors in response to different time periods according to the colors set in the photoelectric conversion element groups of colors (R: t4<t<t5, G: t3<t<t5, and B: t2<t<t5) are transferred in the shift registers in the time period in which unnecessary charges are accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element groups of colors (t0<t<t1).

Abstract: Every time signal charges, which are generated in pixels “1”, “3”, “5”, . . . of one 1a of pixel rows 1a and 1b spaced from each other by a distance D, are transferred to a final stage 4a of an analog shift register 3a to be fed to a charge detecting part 5 in synchronism with a transfer clock &PHgr;1B, a reset pulse RS is generated to discharge the signal charges to a reset drain 8. Signal charges, which are generated in pixels “2”, “4”, “6”, . . . of the other pixel row 1b, are transferred to a final stage 4b of an analog shift register 3b, and then, stored in a capacity 6 of the charge detecting part 5 in synchronism with a transfer clock &PHgr;2B. Then, the quantity of the stored signal charges is read out, and the stored signal charges are outputted from an output circuit 9 as an output signal OS.

Abstract: First photoelectric transducer rows (51, 53, 55) and second photoelectric transducer rows (52, 54, 56) are arranged such that respective image pickup elements are aligned with each other in the primary scanning section. By pixel data read by the first photoelectric transducer rows (51, 53, 55) and pixel data read by the second photoelectric transducer rows (52, 54, 56), pixel data pertaining to two pixels located at the same position on each line with reference to a primary scanning direction are averaged or added together. As a result, resolution of pixels is improved, and noise components of the pixels are diminished. Thus, a signal-to-noise ratio can be improved.

Abstract: A specified lightness of a scanned image can be obtained by selecting from among plural gamma functions or by changing a light amount signal output by the line sensor of the scanning apparatus. Changing the light amount output may be accomplished by controlling the lighting time of each light source, or by adjusting the interval of a shift pulse of the line sensor, or by controlling the charge storage time of the line sensor. A controller adjusts the lighting time of the light source or the gradient of the gamma function in response to a specified lightness from an external computer so that image data in such specified lightness can be obtained. For example, in the case where the lightness is increased, if the user wishes a high quality image, the lighting time is increased, whereas if the user attaches importance to high speed reading, the gradient of the gamma function is increased.

Abstract: This image reading apparatus includes: light sources, a line sensor for photoelectrically converting light from an original, a light source control section for controlling the lighting time of each light source; a gamma correction section for converting a photoelectrically converted electric signal to image data with a gamma function and a controller for controlling the light source control section and the gamma correction section. The controller adjusts the lighting time of the light source or the gradient of the gamma function in response to a specified lightness from an external computer so that image data in such specified lightness can be obtained. For example, in the case where the lightness is increased, if the user wishes a high quality image, the lighting time is increased, whereas if the user attaches importance to high speed reading, the gradient of the gamma function is increased.