A print data editing device is configured to perform: editing print data such that when dots constituting an input image represented by the print data are compared by units of columns before and after the editing, a coincidence is maximized when an image of each column in the input image after the editing is the same position as an image of the corresponding column in the input image before the editing or is shifted by a corresponding shift amount in a sub-scanning direction relative to the image of the corresponding column in the input image before the editing. An absolute value of at least one of shift amounts for columns in the input image after the editing is one dot or greater. An absolute difference value for any two neighboring columns in a main scanning direction in the input image after the editing is one dot or less.

An image reading apparatus includes a document placement unit, a document conveyance unit, a reading unit, a case, and a movable member. The document conveyance unit conveys a document, placed on the document placement unit, along a conveyance path. The case accommodates the reading unit and includes a transparent member which allows passing of light to receiving elements, and an opening. The movable member includes a cover portion and a connection portion and moves in an adjustment direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the case. The cover portion covers the case opening while being in contact with an outside of the case. The connection portion connects the reading unit and the cover portion. When the movable member moves in the adjustment direction, the reading unit moves within the case to change an angle of the reading unit with respect to a document conveyance direction.

An image reading apparatus includes a document placement unit, a document conveyance unit, a reading unit, a case, and a movable member. The document conveyance unit conveys a document, placed on the document placement unit, along a conveyance path. The case accommodates the reading unit and includes a transparent member which allows passing of light to receiving elements, and an opening. The movable member includes a cover portion and a connection portion and moves in an adjustment direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the case. The cover portion covers the case opening while being in contact with an outside of the case. The connection portion connects the reading unit and the cover portion. When the movable member moves in the adjustment direction, the reading unit moves within the case to change an angle of the reading unit with respect to a document conveyance direction.

An image reading device includes a reading unit, a background member, and processing circuitry. The reading unit includes alight source to emit light to a passage area through which an object passes and an imaging device to capture reflected light of the light emitted to generate a visible image and an invisible image. The background member is disposed opposite the light source across the passage area. The processing circuitry is configured to: detect a change in an image characteristic due to a change in an optical characteristic of the reading unit, in invisible images obtained by capturing of invisible marks on the background member; determine a correction amount of an image characteristic to be used for correcting an image of the object generated by the imaging device, based on the change in the image characteristic detected; and correct the image characteristic based on the correction amount determined.

An information processing apparatus transmits data to a printer and includes at least one memory device that stores a set of instructions, and at least one processor that executes the set of instructions to receive a print setting and a gradation object, detect an orientation of a color change in the gradation object and, based on the print setting and the detected orientation, determine whether the orientation of the color change in the gradation object when rendered in the printer matches a main scanning direction of the printer. Based on a determination that the orientation matches the main scanning direction, the gradation object is rendered in the information processing apparatus and then the rendered gradation object is transmitted to the printer, and based on a determination that the orientation does not match the main scanning direction, the gradation object is transmitted to the printer without rendering the gradation object in the information processing apparatus.

An information processing apparatus transmits data to a printer and includes at least one memory device that stores a set of instructions, and at least one processor that executes the set of instructions to receive a print setting and a gradation object, detect an orientation of a color change in the gradation object and, based on the print setting and the detected orientation, determine whether the orientation of the color change in the gradation object when rendered in the printer matches a main scanning direction of the printer. Based on a determination that the orientation matches the main scanning direction, the gradation object is rendered in the information processing apparatus and then the rendered gradation object is transmitted to the printer, and based on a determination that the orientation does not match the main scanning direction, the gradation object is transmitted to the printer without rendering the gradation object in the information processing apparatus.

An optical scanner includes a light source to emit irradiation light, a light deflector to scan the irradiation light emitted from the light source in a first scanning direction and in a second scanning direction intersecting with the first scanning direction, a photodetector to detect the irradiation light when the light deflector scans a detection field, and circuitry to turn on the light source in a first irradiation field scanned by the light deflector from the detection field to an end in the first scanning direction and turn on the light source in a second irradiation field scanned by the light deflector from the end in the first scanning direction towards the detection field, and cause an edge of the first irradiation field on the detection field side to move to get close to the detection field from a position away from the detection field.

An optical scanner includes a light source to emit irradiation light, a light deflector to scan the irradiation light emitted from the light source in a first scanning direction and in a second scanning direction intersecting with the first scanning direction, a photodetector to detect the irradiation light when the light deflector scans a detection field, and circuitry to turn on the light source in a first irradiation field scanned by the light deflector from the detection field to an end in the first scanning direction and turn on the light source in a second irradiation field scanned by the light deflector from the end in the first scanning direction towards the detection field, and cause an edge of the first irradiation field on the detection field side to move to get close to the detection field from a position away from the detection field.

An information processing apparatus is configured to perform: acquiring target image data representing a target image made up of a plurality of partial images; determining whether a specific condition is met for each of the plurality of partial images; selecting a direction-determining method of a printing direction for each of the plurality of partial images in accordance with a determination result; determining whether the selected direction-determining method matches a correct method; and adjusting condition data for controlling a printing device so as to increase selectability of the correct method in response to determining that the selected direction-determining method differs from the correct method. The specific condition indicates that an image evaluation value be greater than or equal to a threshold. The image evaluation value represents an expected color difference between a first image printed by a first-directional partial print and a second image printed by a second-directional partial print.

An information processing apparatus is configured to perform: acquiring target image data representing a target image made up of a plurality of partial images; determining whether a specific condition is met for each of the plurality of partial images; selecting a direction-determining method of a printing direction for each of the plurality of partial images in accordance with a determination result; determining whether the selected direction-determining method matches a correct method; and adjusting condition data for controlling a printing device so as to increase selectability of the correct method in response to determining that the selected direction-determining method differs from the correct method. The specific condition indicates that an image evaluation value be greater than or equal to a threshold. The image evaluation value represents an expected color difference between a first image printed by a first-directional partial print and a second image printed by a second-directional partial print.