EDGE DETECTION DEVICE, IMAGE FORMATION DEVICE, AND EDGE DETECTION METHOD

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an edge detection device, an image formation device, and an edge detection method, capable of accurately detecting an edge even in a case where the data for detecting an edge is divided and transmitted.SOLUTION: An edge detection device for detecting an edge of a recording medium that is transported includes a light source, a plurality of photoelectric conversion element pixels and a detection part. The light source radiates light to the recording medium. The plurality of photoelectric conversion element pixels are arranged in the direction orthogonal to the transportation direction of the recording medium, and converts the light reflected on the recording medium to an electric signal. The detection part detects an edge of the recording medium, based on a plurality of electric signals constituting n-th(n≥1) electric signal group obtained by dividing a plurality of electric signals corresponding to the plurality of photoelectric conversion element pixels, in one to one, and an electric signal among the plurality of electric signals constituting n+1 electric signal group that is a predetermined amount counting from a head. 【課題】エッジ検出用のデータを分割して送出する場合においても、エッジを正確に検出することが可能なエッジ検出装置、画像形成装置およびエッジ検出方法を提供する。【解決手段】搬送される記録媒体のエッジを検出するエッジ検出装置は、光源と複数の光電変換素子画素と検出部とを備える。光源は、記録媒体に光を照射する。複数の光電変換素子画素は、記録媒体の搬送方向と直交する方向に配置され、記録媒体で反射した光を電気信号に変換する。検出部は、複数の光電変換素子画素と１対１に対応する複数の電気信号を分割して得られる第ｎ（ｎ １）番目の電気信号群を構成する複数の電気信号と、第ｎ＋１番目の電気信号群を構成する複数の電気信号のうち先頭から数えて所定数分の電気信号とに基づいて、記録媒体のエッジを検出する。【選択図】図２