Patents by Inventor Ken Tanimura

Ken Tanimura has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9442288
    Abstract: Provided is a method of assembling and adjusting multi-beam scanning optical apparatus including a light source unit having multiple light emitting points, a deflecting unit configured to deflect multiple light beams emitted from the light source unit, and an imaging optical system configured to image the multiple light beams deflected by the deflecting unit on a surface to be scanned, the method including: adjusting incident positions of the multiple light beams in a sub-scanning direction, which are entered into an imaging optical element constituting the imaging optical system to adjust irradiated positions of the multiple light beams on the surface to be scanned; and adjusting the irradiated positions of the multiple light beams on the surface to be scanned in the sub-scanning direction without changing the incident positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ken Tanimura
  • Patent number: 8428769
    Abstract: A method for injection molding an imaging optical element to be used in an optical scanning apparatus for guiding a light ray in a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction. In the imaging optical element, the light ray passes through at least one optical functional surface and does not pass over the meridional line including the optical axis. The imaging optical element is injection-molded through an initial molding step and other various measurement and correction steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Tanimura, Takeyoshi Saiga
  • Publication number: 20130014380
    Abstract: Provided is a method of assembling and adjusting multi-beam scanning optical apparatus including a light source unit having multiple light emitting points, a deflecting unit configured to deflect multiple light beams emitted from the light source unit, and an imaging optical system configured to image the multiple light beams deflected by the deflecting unit on a surface to be scanned, the method including: adjusting incident positions of the multiple light beams in a sub-scanning direction, which are entered into an imaging optical element constituting the imaging optical system to adjust irradiated positions of the multiple light beams on the surface to be scanned; and adjusting the irradiated positions of the multiple light beams on the surface to be scanned in the sub-scanning direction without changing the incident positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ken Tanimura
  • Patent number: 8217980
    Abstract: A multi-beam optical scanning device includes a light source device, a deflector for deflecting a plurality of light beams from the light source device, and an imaging optical system for imaging a plurality of light beams deflected by the deflector upon a photosensitive drum, wherein a plurality of light beams, when they pass through an imaging optical element having a largest positive power in the sub-scan direction, pass through positions which are spaced apart from each other in the sub-scan direction, and wherein the photosensitive drum is so disposed that, when, among the plurality of light beams passing through the imaging optical element having a largest positive power in the sub-scan direction, a light beam which passes through a position furthermost in the sub-scan direction from a meridional of the imaging optical element having a largest positive power in the sub-scan direction is incident on the photosensitive drum, an incidence angle thereof in the sub-scan direction with respect to a surface nor
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ken Tanimura
  • Patent number: 8115793
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes at least one scanning unit having a deflector for scanningly deflecting a light beam from a light source, and an imaging optical system for imaging the light beam scanningly deflected by the deflector upon a plurality of photosensitive drums, wherein, at each of a plurality of light paths extending from the deflector to the plurality of photosensitive drums, at least one reflection member for turning the light path into a sub-scan direction is provided, wherein the plurality of light paths are different in the number of the reflection members, wherein a polarization direction of a light beam incident on each reflection of the plurality of light paths is S-polarized at an optical axis of the imaging optical system, wherein the reflection surfaces of all the reflection members of the plurality of light paths have the same film structure, and wherein the difference among the plurality of light paths of a total turn angle defined by the reflection surface or surfaces of the ref
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Tanimura, Manabu Kato
  • Publication number: 20110042839
    Abstract: A method for injection molding an imaging optical element to be used in an optical scanning apparatus for guiding a light ray in a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction. In the imaging optical element, the light ray passes through at least one optical functional surface and does not pass over the meridional line including the optical axis. The imaging optical element is injection-molded through an initial molding step and other various measurement and correction steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ken Tanimura, Takeyoshi Saiga
  • Publication number: 20090185826
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes at least one scanning unit having a deflector for scanningly deflecting a light beam from a light source, and an imaging optical system for imaging the light beam scanningly deflected by the deflector upon a plurality of photosensitive drums, wherein, at each of a plurality of light paths extending from the deflector to the plurality of photosensitive drums, at least one reflection member for turning the light path into a sub-scan direction is provided, wherein the plurality of light paths are different in the number of the reflection members, wherein a polarization direction of a light beam incident on each reflection of the plurality of light paths is S-polarized at an optical axis of the imaging optical system, wherein the reflection surfaces of all the reflection members of the plurality of light paths have the same film structure, and wherein the difference among the plurality of light paths of a total turn angle defined by the reflection surface or surfaces of the ref
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ken Tanimura, Manabu Kato
  • Patent number: 7554709
    Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus including a light source, deflection unit configured to deflect a light flux emitted by the light source, a first optical system configured to condense a divergent light flux emitted by the light source, a second optical system configured to focus the deflected light flux on a target scanning face, where the wavelength of the light flux is short, and the first and second optical systems include respective refractive optical elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidekazu Shimomura, Ken Tanimura, Hiroshi Sato, Tokuji Takizawa
  • Patent number: 7542189
    Abstract: A light scanning apparatus including a semiconductor laser which emits a light beam having a wavelength equal to or less than 450 nm, an incidence optical system which makes the light beam, emitted from the semiconductor laser, incident on a deflector for scanning in deflection, an imaging optical system which images the light beam scanned in deflection by the deflector to a surface to be scanned, a light intensity detector which detects fluctuations in spectral transmittances of the incidence optical system and of the imaging optical system, which are caused as a concomitant of a fluctuation in wavelength of the light beam which is emitted from the semiconductor laser and passes through the incident optical system and the imaging optical system, and an automatic power controller which automatically controls a light emission output of the semiconductor laser on the basis of a detection value detected by the light intensity detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Tanimura, Hidekazu Shimomura, Tokuji Takizawa
  • Publication number: 20090123179
    Abstract: A multi-beam optical scanning device includes a light source device, a deflector for deflecting a plurality of light beams from the light source device, and an imaging optical system for imaging a plurality of light beams deflected by the deflector upon a photosensitive drum, wherein a plurality of light beams, when they pass through an imaging optical element having a largest positive power in the sub-scan direction, pass through positions which are spaced apart from each other in the sub-scan direction, and wherein the photosensitive drum is so disposed that, when, among the plurality of light beams passing through the imaging optical element having a largest positive power in the sub-scan direction, a light beam which passes through a position furthermost in the sub-scan direction from a meridional of the imaging optical element having a largest positive power in the sub-scan direction is incident on the photosensitive drum, an incidence angle thereof in the sub-scan direction with respect to a surface nor
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ken Tanimura
  • Patent number: 7397590
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an optical scanning apparatus that employs a short wave light source to constantly maintain a spot having a tiny diameter, even when an environmental temperature change occurs, by employing a lens and/or a diffractive optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidekazu Shimomura, Ken Tanimura, Hiroshi Sato, Tokuji Takizawa
  • Patent number: 7391542
    Abstract: Disclosed in an optical scanning apparatus which includes a deflecting unit comprised of a rotary polygon mirror for deflecting a light beam radiated from a light source unit, and a scanning optical system for guiding the light beam deflected by the deflecting unit to a surface to be scanned. In the optical scanning apparatus, individual elements are set such that a diameter of a circumscribed circle of the rotary polygon mirror, the number of deflecting facets of the rotary polygon mirror, an incident angle of the light beam on the deflecting facet at the time when the light beam scans a scanning center, a maximum swing angle of the deflecting facet at the time when an effective scanning range is scanned, and a magnification of the scanning optical system in a sub scanning section can satisfy a predetermined condition, thereby reducing an unevenness of pitches due to a deflecting-facet fall of the rotary polygon mirror, and readily achieving a highly precise and fine image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Tanimura, Hidekazu Shimomura
  • Publication number: 20080030565
    Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus including a light source, deflection unit configured to deflect a light flux emitted by the light source, a first optical system configured to condense a divergent light flux emitted by the light source, a second optical system configured to focus the deflected light flux on a target scanning face, where the wavelength of the light flux is short, and the first and second optical systems include respective refractive optical elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidekazu Shimomura, Ken Tanimura, Hiroshi Sato, Tokuji Takizawa
  • Patent number: 7304778
    Abstract: An optical scanning system and an image forming apparatus with such optical scanning system, include a light source, an optical deflector having a deflecting surface, for scanningly deflecting a light beam emitted from the light source means, and an imaging optical system for imaging the light beam, deflected by the deflecting surface of the optical deflector, upon a scan surface to be scanned, wherein, when ? (??0) refers to an angle which is defined, in a sub-scan sectional plane, between a principal ray of the light beam from the light source means and a normal to the deflecting surface of the optical deflector as the light beam is going to be incident on the deflecting surface, ? refers to an imaging magnification of the imaging optical system with respect to a sub-scan direction, W [mm] refers to a light-beam width, in a main-scan direction, of a light beam that passes a light exit surface of an imaging optical element, of the imaging optical system, which element is closest to the scan surface, and ? (?
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ken Tanimura
  • Publication number: 20070159520
    Abstract: An optical scanning system and an image forming apparatus with such optical scanning system, include a light source, an optical deflector having a deflecting surface, for scanningly deflecting a light beam emitted from the light source means, and an imaging optical system for imaging the light beam, deflected by the deflecting surface of the optical deflector, upon a scan surface to be scanned, wherein, when ? (??0) refers to an angle which is defined, in a sub-scan sectional plane, between a principal ray of the light beam from the light source means and a normal to the deflecting surface of the optical deflector as the light beam is going to be incident on the deflecting surface, ? refers to an imaging magnification of the imaging optical system with respect to a sub-scan direction, W [mm] refers to a light-beam width, in a main-scan direction, of a light beam that passes a light exit surface of an imaging optical element, of the imaging optical system, which element is closest to the scan surface, and ? (
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ken TANIMURA
  • Publication number: 20070081213
    Abstract: A light scanning apparatus includes light source means 1 which irradiates a light beam of which a wavelength is equal to or shorter than 450 nm, deflection means 5 which uses the light beams, for scanning in deflection, emitted from the light source means, an incidence optical system LA which makes the light beam incident on the deflection means, an imaging optical system 6 which guides the light beam deflected by the deflection means onto a surface 8 to be scanned, light intensity detection means 14 which detects fluctuations in spectral transmittances of the incidence optical system and of the imaging optical system, which are caused as a concomitant of a fluctuation in wavelength of the light beam, and control means 15 which controls an output of the light source means on the basis of a detection value detected by the light intensity detection means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: KEN TANIMURA, Hidekazu Shimomura, Tokuji Takizawa
  • Publication number: 20060289731
    Abstract: There is provided a diffraction grid which is easily produced without reducing a grid size. There is provided an optical scanning device having effects such as a chromatic aberration correction and a temperature compensation even when a short wavelength light source having a wavelength of 500 nm or less is used, and an image forming apparatus using the optical scanning device. In the optical scanning device having the diffraction grid, for which the short wavelength light source having a wavelength of 500 nm or less is used, a design order of the diffraction grid is set to a diffraction order equal to or larger than a second order to obtain a grid shape which is easily formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidekazu Shimomura, Ken Tanimura
  • Patent number: 7126625
    Abstract: There is provided a diffraction grid which is easily produced without reducing a grid size. There is provided an optical scanning device having effects such as a chromatic aberration correction and a temperature compensation even when a short wavelength light source having a wavelength of 500 nm or less is used, and an image forming apparatus using the optical scanning device. In the optical scanning device having the diffraction grid, for which the short wavelength light source having a wavelength of 500 nm or less is used, a design order of the diffraction grid is set to a diffraction order equal to or larger than a second order to obtain a grid shape which is easily formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidekazu Shimomura, Ken Tanimura
  • Publication number: 20060131491
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an optical scanning apparatus that employs a short wave light source to constantly maintain a spot having a tiny diameter, even when an environmental temperature change occurs, by employing a lens and/or a diffractive optical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidekazu Shimomura, Ken Tanimura, Hiroshi Sato, Tokuji Takizawa
  • Publication number: 20050045814
    Abstract: There is provided a diffraction grid which is easily produced without reducing a grid size. There is provided an optical scanning device having effects such as a chromatic aberration correction and a temperature compensation even when a short wavelength light source having a wavelength of 500 nm or less is used, and an image forming apparatus using the optical scanning device. In the optical scanning device having the diffraction grid, for which the short wavelength light source having a wavelength of 500 nm or less is used, a design order of the diffraction grid is set to a diffraction order equal to or larger than a second order to obtain a grid shape which is easily formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidekazu Shimomura, Ken Tanimura