Method and apparatus for reading image of image scanner-reader

An image scanner-reader has an image read unit (1, 2, 3), and an employing control unit (11, 12, 13, 14). The image read unit (1, 2, 3) is used to read an original document (10) and provide image data of the original document (10). The employing control unit (11, 12, 13, 14) is used to control the relative moving speed between the original document (10) and the image read unit (1), and when an original document reading operation is suspended, the employing control unit (11, 12, 13, 14) controls the restart of the reading operation after decreasing the relative moving speed to a slow reading speed of the original document (10). Therefore, when the image data buffer (9) becomes full enough to cause a suspension state, and the read operation is restarted after changing control conditions, so that the quantity of data transferred to the image data buffer (9) is reduced. Namely, according to the present invention, the number of occurrences of the suspension state can be greatly reduced, and thereby the overall reading speed can be improved without increasing the data receiving speed of a host device.