Image reading apparatus

An image reading method, comprising:

• irradiating a reading object with light from a light emitting component;
• guiding reflected light from the reading object by a first carriage including a first optical member provided movably in a sub-scanning direction along the reading object;
• receiving the reflected light from the reading object guided through the first optical member to output an image signal by a first photoelectric conversion component;
• imaging the reflected light from the reading object on the first photoelectric conversion component by a first lens disposed on an optical path of the reflected light between the first optical member and the first photoelectric conversion component;
• guiding the reflected light from the reading object by a second optical member provided movably in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction in a second carriage along the reading object with respect to the first carriage;
• receiving the reflected light from the reading object guided through the second optical member to output an image signal by a second photoelectric conversion component;
• and
• imaging the reflected light from the reading object on the second photoelectric conversion component at a magnification different from the first lens by a second lens disposed on an optical path of the reflected light between the second optical member and the second photoelectric conversion component.

A high resolution image reading apparatus, comprising:

• a light emitting component configured to irradiate a reading object with light;
• a first carriage including a first optical member for guiding reflected light from the reading object and provided movably in a sub-scanning direction along the reading object;
• a first photoelectric conversion component configured to receive the reflected light from the reading object guided through the first optical member to output an image signal;
• a first lens disposed on an optical path of the reflected light between the first optical member and the first photoelectric conversion component and configured to image the reflected light from the reading object on the first photoelectric conversion component;
• and
• a second carriage including a second optical member provided movably in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction along the reading object with respect to the first carriage and guiding the reflected light from the reading object, a second photoelectric conversion component that receives the reflected light from the reading object guided through the second optical member to output an image signal, and a second lens disposed on an optical path of the reflected light between the second optical member and the second photoelectric conversion component and images the reflected light from the reading object on the second photoelectric conversion component at a magnification greater than the first lens.