Image reading and copying using plural illumination sources having different characteristics

An image processing apparatus comprising:

• illumination means for illuminating an object image with a plurality of wavelengths different from each other;
• detection means for detecting light excited in response to illumination of the object image with the plurality of wavelengths different from each other, and for outputting a plurality of detection results respectively corresponding to the plurality of wavelengths;
• and
• discrimination means for discriminating the object image according to a combination of the plurality of detection results output by said detection means,
• wherein said wavelengths different from each other are specific wavelengths and said discrimination means discriminates an area in which the excited light of the specific wavelengths is obtained, and
• wherein said discrimination means includes count means for counting the number of pixels from which the specific wavelengths are obtained.

An image reading apparatus comprising:

• illuminatino means for illuminating an object image with a light beam including a predetermined wavelength;
• and
• detection means for detecting a light beam reflected by the object image upon illumination by said illumination means
• wherein said detection means detects a light beam of a shorter wavelength than said predetermined wavelength, and
• wherein the object image excites the light beam of the shorter wavelength than said predetermined wavelength by a light beam of said predetermined wavelength on the basis of a multi-stage energy transmission.

An image reading apparatus comprising:

• first illumination means for illuminating an object image so as to perform a normal reading operation;
• second illumination means for illuminating the object image with light characteristics different from characteristics of light emitted from said first illumination means, to discriminate that the object image is a specific image;
• conversion means for converting a light beam reflected by the object image illuminated with light emitted from said first and second illumination means into an electrical signal;
• and
• control means for controlling conversion characteristics of said conversion means when the object image is illuminated with light emitted from each of said first and second illumination means.

An image processing method comprising the steps of:

• reading an object image;
• illuminating the object image with light;
• detecting light excited in response to illumination of the object image in a plurality of wavelengths different from each other, and outputting a plurality of detection results;
• discriminating the object image according to a combination of the plurality of detection results;
• and
• controlling said reading step in response to a discrimination result produced by said discriminating step.

An image processing method comprising the steps of:

• illuminating an object image with a plurality of wavelengths different from each other;
• detecting light excited in response to illumination of the object image by the plurality of wavelengths different from each other, and outputting a plurality of detection results respectively corresponding to the plurality of wavelengths;
• and
• discriminating the object image according to a combination of the plurality of detection results,
• wherein the wavelengths different from each other are specific wavelengths and wherein, in said discriminating step, an area is discriminated in which the excited light of the specific wavelengths is obtained, and
• wherein said discriminating step includes counting the number of pixels from which the specific wavelengths are obtained.

An image reading method, comprising the steps of:

• illuminating an object image with a light beam including a predetermined wavelength;
• and
• detecting a light beam reflected by the object image upon illumination in said illuminating step,
• wherein, in said detecting step, a light beam of a shorter wavelength than the predetermined wavelength is detected, and
• wherein the object image excites the light beam of the shorter wavelength than the predetermined wavelength by a light beam of the predetermined wavelength on the basis of a multi-stage energy transmission.

An image reading method comprising the steps of:

• illuminating an object image so as to perform a normal reading operation;
• illuminating the object image with light characteristics different from characteristics of light emitted in said first illuminating step, to discriminate whether the object image is a specific image;
• converting a light beam reflected by the object image illuminated with light emitted in said first and second illuminating steps into an electrical signal;
• and
• controlling conversion characteristics in said converting step when the object image is illuminated with light emitted in each of said first and second illuminating steps.

A reading apparatus comprising:

• first illumination means for illuminating a first reference plate;
• second illumination means for illuminating a second reference plate with light characteristics different from characteristics of light emitted from said first illumination means;
• detection means for detecting light reflected from the first reference plate and light reflected from the second reference plate;
• and
• control means for controlling an amount of light emitted from said first illumination means according to the detection of reflected light from said first reference plate, and for controlling an amount of light emitted from said second illumination means according to the detection of reflected light from said second reference plate.

An image reading apparatus comprising:

• first illumination means for illuminating an object image so as to perform a normal reading operation;
• second illumination means for illuminating the object image with light characteristics different from the characteristics of light emitted from said first illumination means;
• reading means for reading the object image according to illumination of the object image by said first illumination means or said second illumination means;
• and
• control means for controlling an operation of said reading means in accordance with whether said first illumination means illuminates the object image or said second illumination means illuminates the object image,
• wherein said control means controls said reading means so that a reading signal level of said reading means assumes a high level when said reading means reads excited light generated by said second illumination means.