Driver apparatus and method

1. A driver apparatus for controlling a light source array comprising at least first and second light sources, the light source array used for illuminating a target object, wherein light reflected from said target object is captured by a detector; the driver apparatus comprising a single integrated circuit, the single integrated circuit comprising:

processing circuitry for processing image data received from the detector; a switching array comprising at least first and second switches for switching the respective first and second light sources between on and off states; and a current source disposed between the switches and ground for controlling the flow of current through the light sources.

2. A driver apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the current source is configured to provide a predetermined current flow through a light source in relation to a corresponding switch in the switching array switching on or off a light source.

3. A driver apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the current source is programmable to provide a variable current flow through a light source in relation to a corresponding switch in the switching array switching on or off a light source.

4. A driver apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the current source is programmable to control the rate of change of current through a light source.

5. A driver apparatus as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the current source is programmable to control the rate of change of current such that the current is decreased in an S-shape waveform before a first switch is turned off, and increased in an S-shape waveform shortly after a second switch is turned on.

6. A driver apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a shunt path connected in parallel with the light source array and the switching array, the shunt path comprising a switch for selectively connecting and disconnecting the shunt path.

7. A driver apparatus as claimed claim 6 , wherein the shunt path is controlled to be connected in parallel to the light source array and the switching array prior to the switching array switching from a first light source to a second light source, and wherein the shunt path is controlled to be disconnected after the switching array has completed switching from the first light source to the second light source.

8. A driver apparatus as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the switching means in the shunt path is controlled using pulse width modulation, for controlling the intensity of a light source.

9. A driver apparatus as claimed in claim 6 , further comprising a second current source provided in the shunt path.

10. A driver apparatus as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the switching means in the shunt path forms part of the second current source.

11. A driver apparatus as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the second current source comprises a capacitive element for controlling the rate of flow of current in the shunt path.

12. A driver apparatus as claimed in claim 9 , further comprising a current detector for monitoring the flow of current in the shunt path.

13. A driver apparatus as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the current detector is configured to limit the flow of current through a light source.

14. A driver apparatus as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the current detector is selectively operable.

15. An electronic device comprising a driver apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

16. An image reading device comprising a driver apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

17. A scanning device comprising a driver apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

18. A method of controlling a light source array comprising at least first and second light sources, the light source array used for illuminating a scan region on a target object, wherein light reflected from said target object is captured by a detector; the method comprising the steps of:

providing a processing circuit and a switching array on a single integrated circuit, wherein the processing circuit is adapted to process image data received from the detector, and wherein the switching array comprises at least first and second switches for switching the respective first and second light sources between on and off states; and

controlling the flow of current through the light sources in accordance with the states of the switches using a current source disposed between the switches and ground.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the step of controlling the flow of current using the current source comprises the step of providing a predetermined current flow through a light source in relation to a corresponding switch being operated.

20. A method as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the step of controlling the flow of current using the current source comprises the step of providing a variable current flow through a light source in relation to a corresponding switch being operated.

21. A method as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the step of controlling the flow of current using the current source comprises the step of controlling the rate of change of current through a light source.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the step of controlling the rate of change of current comprises decreasing the current in an S-shape waveform before a first switch is turned off, and increasing the current in an S-shape waveform shortly after a second switch is turned on.

23. A method as claimed in claim 18 , further comprising the step of selectively connecting a shunt path in parallel with the light source array and the switching array.

24. A method as claimed claim 23 , wherein the shunt path is connected in parallel to the light source array and the switching array prior to the switching array being operated to switch from a first light source to a second light source, and wherein the shunt path is disconnected after the switching array has completed switching from the first light source to the second light source.

25. A method as claimed in claim 23 , further comprising the step of controlling the switch in the shunt path using pulse width modulation.

26. A method as claimed in claim 18 , further comprising the step of providing a second current source in the shunt path.

27. A method as claimed in claim 26 , further comprising the step of controlling a rate of flow of current in the shunt path using a capacitive element of the second current source.

28. A method as claimed in claim 26 , further comprising the step of providing a current detector for monitoring the flow of current in the shunt path.

29. A method as claimed in claim 28 , further comprising the step of controlling the flow of current through a light source based on the flow of current monitored by the current detector in the shunt path.

30. A method as claimed in claim 28 , wherein the current detector is selectively operable.