Reflection detection apparatus and apparatus using the same

An apparatus comprising:

• a reflection detection apparatus;
• and
• an operation unit configured to operate by using an output from the reflection detection apparatus,
• wherein the reflection detection apparatus comprises:
• multiple light-receiving elements configured to detect a pattern formed on an object by receiving a reflected light from the object;
• and
• a selector configured to select a first light-receiving element group from the multiple light-receiving elements,
• wherein the selector is configured to select the first light-receiving element group that includes plural light-receiving elements each mainly receiving a specularly reflected light from an area of the object where no pattern is formed among the multiple light-receiving elements, on a basis of outputs from the multiple light-receiving elements,
• the detection of the pattern is made on a basis of an output from the first light-receiving element group, and
• the selector is configured to be capable of shifting the first light-receiving element group in units of light-receiving elements whose number is less than that of the light-receiving elements included in the first light-receiving element group.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a reflection detection apparatus;
• a transfer body on which a latent image to which toner is adhered is formed;
• and
• a detector configured to detect, by using an output from the reflection detection apparatus, at least one of a density of the toner, a color shift of a toner image, a moving speed of the transfer body and a variation in slope of the transfer body,
• wherein the reflection detection apparatus comprises:
• multiple light-receiving elements configured to detect a pattern formed on the transfer body by receiving a reflected light from the transfer body;
• and
• a selector configured to select a first light-receiving element group from the multiple light-receiving elements,
• wherein the selector is configured to select the first light-receiving element group that includes plural light-receiving elements each mainly receiving a specularly reflected light from an area of the transfer body where no pattern is formed among the multiple light-receiving elements, on a basis of outputs from the multiple light-receiving elements,
• the detection of the pattern is made on a basis of an output from the first light-receiving element group, and
• the selector is configured to be capable of shifting the first light-receiving element group in units of light-receiving elements whose number is less than that of the light-receiving elements included in the first light-receiving element group.

A reflection detection apparatus comprising:

• multiple light-receiving elements configured to detect a pattern formed on an object by receiving a reflected light from the object;
• and
• a selector configured to select a second light-receiving element group from the multiple light-receiving elements,
• wherein the selector is configured to select the second light-receiving element group that includes plural light-receiving elements each mainly receiving a diffusely reflected light from an area of the object where patterns are formed among the multiple light-receiving elements, on a basis of outputs from the multiple light-receiving elements,
• the detection of the pattern is made on a basis of an output from the second light-receiving element group, and
• the selector is configured to be capable of shifting the second light-receiving element group in units of light-receiving elements whose number is less than that of the light-receiving elements included in the second light-receiving element group.

An apparatus comprising:

• a reflection detection apparatus;
• and
• an operation unit configured to operate by using an output from the reflection detection apparatus,
• wherein the reflection detection apparatus comprises:
• multiple light-receiving elements configured to detect a pattern formed on an object by receiving a reflected light from the object;
• and
• a selector configured to select a second light-receiving element group from the multiple light-receiving elements,
• wherein the selector is configured to select the second light-receiving element group that includes plural light-receiving elements each mainly receiving a diffusely reflected light from an area of the object where patterns are formed among the multiple light-receiving elements, on a basis of outputs from the multiple light-receiving elements,
• the detection of the pattern is made on a basis of an output from the second light-receiving element group, and
• the selector is configured to be capable of shifting the second light-receiving element group in units of light-receiving elements whose number is less than that of the light-receiving elements included in the second light-receiving element group.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a reflection detection apparatus;
• a transfer body on which a latent image to which toner is adhered is formed;
• and
• a detector configured to detect, by using an output from the reflection detection apparatus, at least one of a density of the toner, a color shift of a toner image, a moving speed of the transfer body and a variation in slope of the transfer body,
• wherein the reflection detection apparatus comprises:
• multiple light-receiving elements configured to detect a pattern formed on the transfer body by receiving a reflected light from the transfer body;
• and
• a selector configured to select a second light-receiving element group from the multiple light-receiving elements,
• wherein the selector is configured to select the second light-receiving element group that includes plural light-receiving elements each mainly receiving a diffusely reflected light from an area of the transfer body where patterns are formed among the multiple light-receiving elements, on a basis of outputs from the multiple light-receiving elements,
• the detection of the pattern is made on a basis of an output from the second light-receiving element group, and
• the selector is configured to be capable of shifting the second light-receiving element group in units of light-receiving elements whose number is less than that of the light-receiving elements included in the second light-receiving element group.