Patent attributes
An image reading apparatus for optically reading an image comprises an LED for lighting a predetermined region including an object to be read, an image pickup element for receiving reflected light from the predetermined region lit by the LED and outputting an corresponding image pickup signal, a CPU for controlling an amount of light emitted by the LED in a predetermined range such that the image pickup signal output from the image pickup element is at the proper level, and a dark image pickup detecting circuit for determining a dark image pickup state on the basis of the image pickup signal output from the image pickup element. When the dark image pickup detecting circuit determines the dark image pickup state, the CPU controls an amount of light emitted by the LED to be low.
