Omron Corporation

Hiroki Tabata

Shinya Sonoda

Junji Hiraishi

Masashi Sugimoto

Atsushi Noda

An image input device photoelectrically reads a document and outputs digital data. This image reader includes a first voltage generating circuit for generating a first voltage for setting an upper limit of contrast, a second voltage generating circuit for generating a second voltage for setting a lower limit of contrast, and an A/D converter for converting an input analog signal to a digital signal in accordance with the first and second voltages. At least one of the voltages generated by the first voltage generating circuit and second voltage generating circuit is variable. Also disclosed is an image reader including a dark voltage memory circuit, storing dark voltages corresponding to color signals R, G and B, a first switching circuit sequentially switching the output of the dark voltage memory circuit and outputting a selected dark voltage, a second switching circuit adapted to synchronously output a selected color signal corresponding to the selected dark voltage, and a differential amplifier subtracting the selected dark voltage from said selected color signal.

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Takatsuki, Japan

Hiroki Tabata