Image reader for producing and synthesizing segmented image data

摘要

An image reader including: a scanning mechanism section for holding an imaging optical unit and a solid-state image pick-up device, and for rotating the imaging optical unit and the solid-state image pick-up device in an arbitrary direction and another direction orthogonal to that arbitrary direction respectively, so that an original image can be picked up with an arbitrary resolution while being segmented into a plurality of pieces; and a control section for driving the scanning mechanism section in accordance with the original image and for synthesizing the segmented image to produce original image data. As a result of this construction, the image reader is down-sized and does not require that the original be placed on the platen glass facedown and at a predetermined position, to dispense with the conventionally required complicated operation.