Image reading apparatus and light conductor used for the same

An image reading apparatus comprising:

• a light source arranged to emit light for illuminating a linear image reading region extending in a primary scanning direction;
• a plurality of lenses arranged in an array for focusing light reflected on the image reading region and for producing reduced images, each of the lenses having an optical axis which intersects a predetermined portion of the image reading region;
• a plurality of light receiving elements for output of image signals based on the light focused by the lenses;
• and
• a light conductor for leading the light emitted by the light source toward the image reading region;
• wherein the light conductor leads the emitted light so that said predetermined portion is illuminated more brightly than other portions of the image reading region which are adjacent to said predetermined portion;
• and
• wherein the light conductor includes a transparent member having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface facing the light source, the second surface facing the image reading region, the transparent member being arranged to lead light from the first surface to the second surface so that distribution of light at the first surface is different from distribution of light at the second surface.