An image reading apparatus includes a stacking unit, a conveyance unit to convey stacked sheets, a reading unit, a white reference plate provided in a second position, and a processor. The reading unit is movable and, at a first position, reads a conveyed sheet image to obtain image data and, at the second position, reads the white reference plate. The processor generates, based on a plate reading result, a shading correction value and corrects the image data using the shading correction value. Based on whether the number of times in which reading the white reference plate has been performed is less than a predetermined number of times, the reading unit changes a time interval in a reading period that is from a first timing to a second timing. The processor generates, each time the white reference plate is read, the shading correction value based on the plate reading results.

An image forming apparatus includes an output unit, a reading unit, and a processor. The output unit outputs multiple types of charts. The reading unit reads images of the charts. The charts are output by the output unit. The processor performs multiple types of processes in a predetermined order in accordance with the images of the charts and original images used to output the charts. Each of the processes is at least one of diagnosis and adjustment. The images of the charts are obtained through the reading operation performed by the reading unit. The charts which are output by the output unit include a diagnostic chart for a spot and/or a streak and a diagnostic chart for transfer. After the processor performs a first diagnosis based on the diagnostic chart for a spot and/or a streak, the processor performs a second diagnosis based on the diagnostic chart for transfer.

An image reading apparatus 300 comprises: the scanner device SD which reads information about a sheet P conveyed on a paper conveying route PP and information about a position, a form and a color of an image formed on the sheet P; a spectrophotometer CI which reads information about a color of an image formed on a sheet P conveyed on the paper conveying route PP; and a support base TR which incorporates the paper conveying route and a motor for conveying a sheet and can be pulled out from a main body together with the paper conveying route and the motor. The scanner device SD is not mounted on the support base TR but fixed to the main body of the image reading apparatus. The spectrophotometer CI is mounted on and fixed to the support base TR, and spaced from the paper transfer route PP by a predetermined distance.

An image reading device includes linear image sensors that are arranged so that adjacent image sensors include an overlapping region in which portions of reading regions of the adjacent image sensors overlap in a main scanning direction, and a buffer unit for read image data. Image data of each overlapping region are generated by synthesizing first image data obtained by a first linear image sensor and second image data obtained by a second linear sensor, the first linear image sensor and the second linear sensor being adjacent in the main scanning direction. Image data of the predetermined line is generated based on image data in which the image data of each overlapping region are excluded from the image data stored in the buffer unit and the image data of each overlapping region. The processing is repeatedly executed in a sub-scanning direction.

There is provided an image processing apparatus, method, and operation program capable of appropriately removing an abnormal pixel even in a case where the abnormal pixel is present in a tailing region. An abnormal pixel removing section removes an abnormal pixel from an image in which tailing and the dot-shaped abnormal pixel are mixed every other line. The abnormal pixel removing section selects neighboring pixels from only odd lines or even lines including a line, in which a target pixel to be corrected is present, depending on whether or not the line in which the target pixel is present is an odd-numbered line in a sub-scanning direction, and performs processing for removing the abnormal pixel based on the selected neighboring pixels.

There is provided an image processing apparatus, method, and operation program capable of appropriately removing an abnormal pixel even in a case where the abnormal pixel is present in a tailing region. An abnormal pixel removing section removes an abnormal pixel from an image in which tailing and the dot-shaped abnormal pixel are mixed every other line. The abnormal pixel removing section selects neighboring pixels from only odd lines or even lines including a line, in which a target pixel to be corrected is present, depending on whether or not the line in which the target pixel is present is an odd-numbered line in a sub-scanning direction, and performs processing for removing the abnormal pixel based on the selected neighboring pixels.

A scanner has a first sensor array; a second sensor array; a timing controller that individually outputs at different times a first drive signal that drives the first sensor array, and a second drive signal that the second sensor array; and a light source configured that emits and illuminates a document during periods between the first drive signal and the second drive signal output next after the first drive signal, and periods between the second drive signal and the first drive signal output next after the second drive signal.

A scanner has a first sensor array; a second sensor array; a timing controller that individually outputs at different times a first drive signal that drives the first sensor array, and a second drive signal that the second sensor array; and a light source configured that emits and illuminates a document during periods between the first drive signal and the second drive signal output next after the first drive signal, and periods between the second drive signal and the first drive signal output next after the second drive signal.

An example disclosed herein analyzes a first scan of a first target scanned with a first scanner module of a scanner, analyzes second scan of a second target scanned with a second scanner module of the scanner, identifies a color difference greater than a threshold color difference between the first scan and the second scan, and adjusts color settings for the first scanner module to correct the color difference to less than the threshold color difference.

An example disclosed herein analyzes a first scan of a first target scanned with a first scanner module of a scanner, analyzes second scan of a second target scanned with a second scanner module of the scanner, identifies a color difference greater than a threshold color difference between the first scan and the second scan, and adjusts color settings for the first scanner module to correct the color difference to less than the threshold color difference.