Sheet identification device, image processing apparatus, and sheet identification method

A sheet identification device comprising:

• an acquisition portion configured to acquire an identification image which is an image of an identification region on which pattern light is projected of a surface of a sheet on which image formation or image reading is performed, the pattern light including a vertical component along a conveying direction of the sheet and a horizontal component orthogonal to the vertical component;
• and
• a direction identification portion configured to identify a fiber direction of the surface of the sheet, based on the identification image.

A sheet identification method comprising:

• acquiring an identification image which is an image of an identification region on which pattern light is projected of a surface of a sheet on which image formation or image reading is performed, the pattern light including a vertical component along a conveying direction of the sheet and a horizontal component orthogonal to the vertical component;
• and
• identifying a fiber direction of the surface of the sheet, based on the identification image.