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Abstract

An image reading device (image scanner) includes a resolution changing device that changes a resolution of the image signals output by a photoelectric sensor device by changing a primary scanning direction aperture size, a secondary scanning direction aperture size, or both, of the photoelectric sensor device. In order to change a resolution in the secondary scanning direction, the secondary scanning direction aperture size is changed, for example, by a control device that controls a drive velocity of a drive device that drives the photoelectric sensor device in the secondary scanning direction relative to an original document. Alternatively, the control device can control a duration of an integral time of the photoelectric sensor device during which the photoelectric sensor elements of the photoelectric sensor device collect light from the original document in order to vary the secondary scanning direction aperture size. In order to change a resolution in the primary scanning direction, the primary scanning direction aperture size is changed, for example, by an averaging process circuit that averages the signals output from a plurality of adjacent photoelectric sensor elements. The averaging process circuit changes a resolution of the image by a factor of m by averaging the signals output by m adjacent photoelectric sensor elements, wherein m is an integer.

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First Claim