Reading device, image forming apparatus, reference pattern reading method, and storage medium storing program code

A reading device comprising:

• a position reference member having a reference pattern that includes a line extending in a prescribed direction, the position reference member configured to relatively move in a direction orthogonal to the prescribed direction;
• and
• a reader including a plurality of sensor chips arranged in the prescribed direction, each of the sensor chips including a plurality of pixels,
• the reference pattern corresponding to each of the sensor chips of the reader,
• wherein the reference pattern includes a horizontal line extending in the prescribed direction, and a vertical line extending in the direction orthogonal to the prescribed direction,
• wherein the reading device further includes circuitry configured to relatively move an object to be read by the reader, in the direction orthogonal to the prescribed direction, and
• wherein the reader is configured to read the vertical line after reading the horizontal line.