Image scanning method and apparatus capable of effectively securing illumination intensity

An image scanning apparatus for scanning an image formed on a surface of a document, the image scanning apparatus comprising:

• document holding means for holding the document thereon;
• moving means for moving below the document holding means in a sub-scanning direction, the moving means including,
• light source means for outputting light for illuminating the surface of the document, and
• reflecting means for sequentially reflecting the light reflected obliquely from the surface of the document;
• imaging means for collecting the reflected light;
• and
• image pickup means for forming thereon an image from the light output from the imaging means.

An image scanning method for scanning an image formed on a surface of a document, the image scanning method comprising:

• placing a document on a contact glass;
• moving a plurality of moving members below the contact glass in a sub-scanning direction;
• outputting light from a light source for illuminating the surface of the document;
• sequentially reflecting the light reflected obliquely from the surface of the document by a plurality of reflection mirrors;
• and
• focusing the reflected light through an imaging lens to an image pickup device to form an image thereon.