Abstract: A light-scanning optical system comprises a light source, a first optical system, a light deflector having a deflection surface, a second optical system, a photodetector and a luminous flux delimiting member. A luminous flux emitted from the light source is trimmed and imaged as a linear luminous flux extending in the main scanning direction by the first optical system. The deflection surface of the deflector is arranged near the imaging position of the first optical system so that it reflects and deflects the linear luminous flux for scanning operation. The deflected luminous flux is then imaged on the plane to be scanned by the second optical system that establishes a substantially conjugate relationship between the deflection surface and the plane to be scanned.

Abstract: A color laser printer includes a photoconductor section having photoconductive material configured to be exposed to receive a plurality of color toners in a selective manner representative of a color image to be printed. The printer further includes a scanning section having a plurality of lasers, preferably four lasers, each of the lasers being configured to generate pulsed beams of laser energy to be directed to the photoconductor section to selectively expose the photoconductive material. The scanning section also includes a single, rotating, polygonal-sided mirror having at least four reflective facets corresponding to selected sides of the polygon. The polygonal-sided mirror is positioned relative to the lasers and the photoconductor section such that the pulsed beams of laser energy from each of the lasers are reflected by the reflective facets of the polygonal-sided mirror to a predetermined lineal position on the photoconductive material.

Abstract: An optical scanning device condenses a beam deflected by a light deflector, by a scanning and imaging lens toward a surface to be scanned to form a beam spot thereon, and scans the surface to be scanned by the beam spot. At least one lens of the scanning and imaging lens is configured so that a lens body thereof is held by a holding frame, wherein a rib surface at an end in a longitudinal direction of the holding frame is inclined so that a ghost light generated as a result of the deflected beam being reflected by the end in the longitudinal direction of the holding frame is changed in light path in a sub-scan direction.

Abstract: An LED beam source emits plural light beams which are independently controllable and become incident light of a polygon mirror. The LED beam source comprises LED elements of which light-emitting timing and light intensity are independently controllable, a base member for retaining the LED elements, and a mask plate for commonly covering light emitting sides of the LED elements. The mask plate is formed with beam openings corresponding to the respective outputted beams. Four corners of the mask plate are provided with positioning holes, and four corners of the base member are provided with positioning projections. Assembling is easily performed by inserting the positioning projection into the positioning hole.

Abstract: A single rotating polygon mirror with v-shaped facets having upper and lower reflective facet surfaces reflects and separates dual beams to two photoreceptors in a ROS. Each facet surface will have a different tilt angle. The two independently modulated beams will share common optical elements between the light sources and the mirror and may share a common f-theta scan lens. Two sets of two beams can be incident upon the facets on opposite sides of the rotating polygon mirror. The polygon mirror facet can also have three or four reflective facet surfaces to reflect and separate three or four independently modulated beams to three or four different photoreceptors.

Abstract: A multi-beam exposer unit 1 includes 1 ∑ i = 1 M ⁢ ( Ni - 1 )

Abstract: A rotatable mirror assembly comprises a rotatably mounted support (1); and a mirror (7) mounted to the support for rotation therewith. The mirror (7) is mounted at a position (5) laterally offset from the axis (6) of rotation of the support, the mirror being spaced from the remainder of the support to allow the mirror to distort when it is rotated.

Abstract: A photosensitive body has a photosensitive layer. An optical scanning device has a deflector deflecting a light flux emitted from a light source, and scans the surface of the photosensitive body by the thus-deflected light flux. A dot is formed at a center between adjacent light fluxes as a result of the adjacent light fluxes being overlapped with one another in a sub-scan direction. A ratio of a static beam-spot diameter Ws in the sub-scan direction on the surface of the photosensitive body defined by 1/e2 of the maximum value in the exposure distribution of the beam spot to an interval L between adjacent scan lines satisfies the following formula: 1.2<Ws/L<4.5.

Abstract: A multi-beam scanning apparatus comprises a light source unit for emitting a plurality of beams, a beam deflector for deflecting the plurality of beams from the light source unit, and a common scanning image-forming optic for converging the plurality of deflected beams so as to form a plurality of beam spots for simultaneously scanning a scanned surface, a plurality of scan lines respectively described by the plurality of beam spots being isolated from each other in a sub-scanning direction, wherein the plurality of scan lines are bowed in the same direction.

Abstract: A multi-beam scanning optical apparatus comprises a light source having a plurality of light emitting sections, a rotary polygon mirror having deflection surfaces for deflecting light beams emitted from the light emitting sections, a first optical system arranged on the optical path between the light source and the polygon mirror for transforming the light beams into so many convergent or divergent light beams, a second optical system for focussing the convergent or divergent light beams on a deflection surface of the rotary polygon mirror as so many linear images extending in the main-scanning direction, and a third optical system for focussing the deflected light beams onto a surface to be scanned, which is typically a photosensitive surface of a drum and is held in a substantially conjugate relationship in the sub-scanning direction with the deflection surface.

Abstract: A single rotating polygon mirror with adjacent facets having different tilt angles reflects and splits the scanning beam to multiple photoreceptors in a raster output scanning (ROS) system. The mirror can have two or four alternating facets with different tilt angles. Two different light beams form two different light sources can be reflected and split from the polygon mirror contemporaneously to multiple photoreceptors. The split beams from the polygon mirror facets can share a common f-theta scan lens.

Abstract: Even if light beams are caused to obliquely become incident on a light deflector, an optical scanner will be constructed of one F&thgr; lens without bending the center line of the lens. The optical scanner has a deflection part on which light beams are incident from a light source to incline their optical axes by a predetermined angle in a slow scan direction, and a scanning optical system for scanning an optical spot at a substantially constant velocity, and focusing incident light beams on a surface to be scanned. The scanning optical system is preferably constructed of a single lens, both sides of which are aspherical, this lens is caused to refract, on a first refractive surface, to reduce a change in an incident angle of the light beams in the slow scan direction, which change in response to an deflection angle, and is caused to refract, on a second refractive surface, such that the light beams after emission are emitted in a substantially coincided orientation in the slow scan direction.

Abstract: A multi-beam scanning device includes a plurality of light sources which emit multiple beams. A plurality of coupling lenses couple the multiple beams from the light sources. A converging lens device converts the coupled beams into converging beams, the converging beams being elongated in a direction corresponding to a main scanning direction and converging only in a direction corresponding to a sub-scanning direction, at least two of the converging beams forming a difference angle therebetween. A rotary deflector has a reflection surface rotated about a fixed rotation axis. The reflection surface deflects the converging beams while the reflection surface is rotated. A scanning lens device scans an image surface in the main scanning direction at a substantially uniform velocity by focusing each deflected beam into a beam spot on the image surface.

Abstract: A multi-beam scanning apparatus performs image scanning by emitting multiple beams from a plurality of light sources, which beams are deflected by a common deflector at equiangular velocity. The beams are then condensed by a common scanning image forming lens so as to form optical spots on a scanning surface. As a result, the plurality of lines are simultaneously scanned by the beams on the scanning surface at a substantially constant velocity. Characteristics of the light sources, such as the wavelength thereof, and other factors such as writing density and desired writing width of a writing line, are arranged to eliminate differences in a written vertical line in a sub scanning direction caused by a magnification difference, regardless of the cause of such differences. In addition, the modulation frequency of the plurality of light sources is made different from each other so that writing widths of the dots written by the plurality of light sources become the same.

Abstract: A diffractive deflection beam scanning system including: a plurality of light sources; a deflection disc rotatably mounted over the light sources, having patterns capable of diffracting and deflecting beams emitted from the light sources; a plurality of first reflecting mirrors for changing the traveling paths of beams diffracted and deflected by the deflection disc; a plurality of second reflecting mirrors for reflecting the beams reflected by the first reflecting mirrors in a beam scan direction, wherein the light sources are disposed in a straight line along a bisecting line of the deflection disc, perpendicular to the beam scan direction, and the second reflecting mirrors are arranged over the center of the deflection disc at different heights.

Abstract: A laser scanning unit (LSU) in a structure capable of radiating heat generated by a light source. The LSU includes at least one light source, a driving source for providing rotational force, and a deflection disk installed on a rotary shaft of the driving source, for diffracting and deflecting light incident from the light sources. The deflection disk has at least one radiating portion which is depressed in and/or protrudes from the surface of the deflection disk facing the light source and induces air flow by contact with air, such that the heat generated by the light sources is radiated by the air flow induced due to the radiating portion.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for plotting a raster image on a plane record carrier. A computer-stored raster image includes raster points and is convertable into controllable, raster-point related light beams in which picture elements corresponding to the raster points are plotted on the record carrier. The method includes dividing the computer raster image into matrix-like imaginary computer raster image subareas, dividing the raster image of the record carrier into matrix-like imaginary raster image subareas of the record carrier, and associating the subareas of the computer raster image and the subareas of the raster image of the record carrier with each other. The method further includes dividing the computer raster image subareas into n matrix-like imaginary raster point positions, dividing the raster image subareas of the record carrier into n matrix-like imaginary picture element positions, and associating the n matrix-like picture element positions with the n matrix-like raster point positions.

Abstract: A laser beam scanning optical apparatus which images each laser beam emitted from a laser diode array via a deflector and optical elements and scans the laser beam linearly on a scanning surface at a substantially constant speed. The laser diode array has a plurality of light emitting sources arranged two-dimensionally, and more specifically, arranged in a first direction at uniform intervals of P1 and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction at uniform intervals of P2 which is different from P1. In the laser beam scanning optical apparatus, the magnification ratio in the main scanning direction and the magnification ratio in the sub scanning direction are different from each other.

Abstract: A laser scanning apparatus including an optical source installed on a main frame, a scan disk which is rotatably installed on the main frame and has diffraction patterns formed thereon for deflecting a beam emitted from the optical source in a predetermined direction to achieve a normal light path, and a means for shielding an abnormal beam that is emitted from the optical source and diffracted or reflected off the normal light path by the scan disk.

Abstract: A light scanning device deflects a plurality of light beams by a deflecting means performs divided scanning on a single scanning line on a photoconductor with the plurality of deflected light beams. When the scanning line is scanned, a detecting means detects a light beam passing through a predetermined position in front of a position where the light beam first strikes an image forming range on the photoconductor. An oscillating means oscillates a specified number of clocks in a time interval from when the light beam is detected by the detecting means until it is detected thereby again. An adjusting means makes adjustments so as to irradiate a plurality of light beams based on clocks oscillated by the oscillating means. In a time interval after the light beam is detected by the detecting means until it is detected thereby again, a plurality of light beams are irradiated based on the specified number of clocks.

Abstract: Printer apparatus and method of forming multiple image pixel sizes on photosensitive media. The printer comprises a light source for projecting a light beam onto the photosensitive media to form the image pixel on the photosensitive media. An aperture system is interposed between the light source and the photosensitive media for adjustably sizing the light beam, the aperture system having an adjustable aperture plate for receiving the light beam therethrough. The aperture system is adjustable for variably masking a predetermined portion of the light beam, so that the image pixel obtains a predetermined size as the predetermined portion of the light beam is masked. The aperture system includes a guide member having parallel spaced-apart grooves therein. An aperture plate, which slidably engages the grooves, has a first aperture of a first size and a second aperture of a second size spaced-apart from the first aperture.

Abstract: In a multibeam scanning optical apparatus of a type where two parallel lines are simultaneously scanned by two laser beams irradiated from two semiconductor lasers, stable images are formed on the scanned surface by the two laser beams and the cost is reduced. The two laser beams irradiated from the two semiconductor lasers are directed substantially in the same direction through a beam splitter and then shaped by a condenser lens into two luminous fluxes whose optical axes are substantially parallel to each other. In another arrangement, the semiconductor lasers are directly secured to a surface of the beam splitter by use of an ultraviolet setting resin.

Abstract: A multi-laser scanning unit (LSU) in which scanning lines incident parallel onto a photoreceptor have the same scanning direction.

Abstract: A beam scanning apparatus of an electrophotographic color printer having first and second light sources, and a deflecting unit including a driving source and first and second beam deflectors. The driving source has a rotation shaft and the first and second beam deflectors are coaxially installed on the rotation shaft and respectively deflect and scan beams of light emitted from the first and second light sources. First and second beam correcting units are arranged along the path of light between the deflecting unit and a photoreceptor and respectively correct the beams deflected by the first and second beam deflectors.

Abstract: A laser marking method and an apparatus thereof which realize stamp processing with a beautiful appearance and a high precision, without reducing the manufacturing efficiency. The laser marking method comprises a step of sequentially displaying divisional patterns each corresponding to one scanning line of a first deflector, a step of sequentially scanning the divisional patterns with a laser beam from a laser oscillator by the first deflector, and a step of moving a stamp position on a work surface for every one of scanning transmission beams respectively transmitted through the divisional patterns, in a direction perpendicular to a scanning direction, by a second deflector, thereby to synthesize and stamp the divisional patterns.

Abstract: A solid state laser array is multiplexed using an array of micromirrors to permit high resolution printing in a wide format. Each laser in the laser array and each micromirror in the mirror array is individually controlled. The laser array may be an array of VCSELs produced on a GaAs substrate.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus for simultaneously scanning a plurality of light beams. In the apparatus, four light beams emitted from two light emitting portions are allowed to sequentially pass through collimator lenses and cylindrical lenses. Then, a beam splitter synthesizes the light beams so as to be emitted to a mirror surface of a polygonal mirror. Then, the light beams are deflected when the polygonal mirror is rotated so as to be allowed to pass through an imaging lens. Then, the light beams scan and expose (main-scan) the surface of a photosensitive member. When the photosensitive member is rotated by a predetermined quantity, sub-scanning is performed. When the above-mentioned main and sub-scanning are repeated, a latent image for one page is formed on the photosensitive member. When the above-mentioned sequential processes are performed, interlaced scanning is performed under predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A dual infrared beam raster scanning system has overfilled facets on the rotating polygon mirror and a double pass through a two cylindrical lens element f-theta lens group. The raster scanning system has an aspheric collimator lens, an aperture and a four lens element cylindrical lens group in the pre-polygon optics, and a two cylindrical lens element f-theta lens group and a cylindrical wobble correction mirror in the post-polygon mirror optics.

Abstract: The multi-beam optical unit of the invention limits the number of reflection times by half mirrors to one time or below when a plurality of beams are combined into one and guided to a polygon mirror, so that an influence upon an image due to a positioning error of the half mirrors can be minimized. Besides, power of emitted beams can be made uniform by using the half mirrors having transmissivity and reflectance satisfying predetermined conditions regardless of the number of times that the beams penetrate the half mirrors. Thus, the service lives of a plurality of beam emitting sources can be made uniform, and maintainability can be improved.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus which can provide a color image free from any color misregistration with low cost, and a light scanning unit suitable for the apparatus. The apparatus includes a finite lens and a cylinder lens for giving predetermined characteristics to light beams emitted by a plurality of light sources, a laser synthesis mirror unit for synthesizing laser beams passing through the lenses, a deflection unit for deflecting the synthesized light beams, first and second image-forming lenses for adjusting the aberration characteristics, at the imaging position, of the deflected light beam, one or three mirrors for outputting the light beam passing through the image-forming lenses at predetermined positions, and can provide a color image free from any color misregistration.

Abstract: The laser light source includes a laser light emitting device for emitting a plurality of laser light beams, a condenser lens for condensing the laser light beams, an interval adjusting unit for adjusting the interval between the laser light emitting device and the condenser lens, and a rotary adjustment unit for adjusting the laser light emitting device around a rotary axis perpendicular to the optical axis of the condenser lens. The rotary axis is positioned near light emission points of the laser light emitting device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing images. The optical output from a spatial multimode laser, which is multimode in one direction and is single mode in the orthogonal direction, is scanned parallel to the multimode direction. More specifically, according to one aspect of the present invention the printing apparatus includes a multimode laser having an emitting aperture that provides a laser beam. A scanner scans the laser beam from this laser along a scan line such that a long dimension of said emitting aperture corresponds to the scan direction. An optical system focuses the laser beam to a spot having a long dimension and a short dimension, such that the long dimension of the spot is along the scan direction.

Abstract: A multi-beam scanning apparatus includes a light source unit for emitting a plurality of beams, a beam deflector for deflecting the plurality of beams from the light source unit, and a common scanning image-forming optic for converging the plurality of deflected beams so as to form a plurality of beam spots for simultaneously scanning a scanned surface, a plurality of scan lines respectively described by the plurality of beam spots being isolated from each other in a sub-scanning direction, wherein the plurality of scan lines are bowed in the same direction.

Abstract: A method for printing or exposing photosensitive media is disclosed herein. The method uses standard spatial light modulators with standard addressing circuitry. The data is written to the device for the first row, the photosensitive media is exposed to the light reflected from the device, and the device is turned off. The data from the first row is then written to the second line of the device, and new data is loaded into the first line of the device. The media is again exposed. This is repeated until the entire region of the drum is completely exposed. The device can be repositioned to cover a different region of the drum and the process would be repeated.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus which can provide a color image free from any color misregistration with low cost, and a light scanning unit suitable for the apparatus. The apparatus includes a finite lens and a cylinder lens for giving predetermined characteristics to light beams emitted by a plurality of light sources, a laser synthesis mirror unit for synthesizing laser beams passing through the lenses, a deflection unit for deflecting the synthesized light beams, first and second image-forming lenses for adjusting the aberration characteristics, at the imaging position, of the deflected light beam, one or three mirrors for outputting the light beam passing through the image forming lenses at predetermined positions, and can provide a color image free from any color misregistration.

Abstract: An aperture and a field lens are positioned between the collimator and the rotating polygon mirror of a multiple reflection, multiple beam raster output scanner to eliminate differential scan line bow. The aperture and the field lens will be positioned where the multiple beams cross the optical axis of the raster output scanner optical system. The multiple beams are telecentric.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser array emits a plurality of laser beams. A polygon mirror deflects the plurality of laser beams together. A prism type reflector separates the deflected laser beams to different directions that are generally along an arrangement direction of a plurality of photoreceptors. The separated laser beams are input to the respective photoreceptors through mirrors and cylindrical lenses.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus which can provide a color image free from any color misregistration with low cost, and a light scanning unit suitable for the apparatus. The apparatus includes a finite lens and a cylinder lens for giving predetermined characteristics to light beams emitted by a plurality of light sources, a laser synthesis mirror unit for synthesizing laser beams passing through the lenses, a deflection unit for deflecting the synthesized light beams, first and second image-forming lenses for adjusting the aberration characteristics, at the imaging position, of the deflected light beam, one or three mirrors for outputting the light beam passing through the image-forming lenses at predetermined positions, and can provide a color image free from any color misregistration.

Abstract: A printer for use in exposing a photosensitive material and method of operation thereof. The printer includes a rotatable polygon mirror having a plurality of adjacent facets. The mirror includes a reference facet and signal generator for generating a polygon index signal which defines a reference position. A light source for directing a light beam is provided for reflection of the beam off each of the adjacent facets for exposing the photosensitive material and defining a writing path. A sensor is also provided for generating a line start signal for each of the facets in response to the light beam passing over the sensor. The printer is provided with a switch for placing printer in a first set-up mode or writing mode. When in set-up mode a counter measures a first time period T.sub.S from the polygon index signal to a first line start signal generated by the reference facet. A counter also measuring a second time period T.sub.

Abstract: A method of arranging scanning optical components is described to provide a compact scanning optical system which includes a plurality of light sources for simultaneously emitting multiple image-forming beams towards a common image-reflecting surface such as a polygon mirror via an image-focusing element such as a set of vertically layered f.theta. mirrors.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus for simultaneously scanning a plurality of light beams. In the apparatus, four light beams emitted from two light emitting portions are allowed to sequentially pass through collimator lenses and cylindrical lenses. Then, a beam splitter synthesizes the light beams so as to be emitted to a mirror surface of a polygonal mirror. Then, the light beams are deflected when the polygonal mirror is rotated so as to be allowed to pass through an imaging lens. Then, the light beams scan and expose (main-scan) the surface of a photosensitive member. When the photosensitive member is rotated by a predetermined quantity, sub-scanning is performed. When the above-mentioned main and sub-scanning are repeated, a latent image for one page is formed on the photosensitive member. When the above-mentioned sequential processes are performed, interlaced scanning is performed under predetermined conditions.

Abstract: In a scanning optical apparatus, a light beam emitted by a light source is caused to be obliquely incident on a deflection surface of an optical deflector in a sub scanning section through an optical device to form an image of the light beam deflectively reflected by the optical deflector on a surface to be scanned by an imaging optical system. A lateral magnification of the imaging optical system in a sub scanning direction is caused to change in accordance with a distance away from the on-axis to an off-axis along the main scanning direction.

Abstract: A light beam scanning optical apparatus is provided which simultaneously converges a plurality of light beams on different locations in a scanning surface and thereby simultaneously writes a plurality of lines in one scanning operation. The light beam scanning optical apparatus comprises a light source having three or more light emitting points, and a converging lens which shapes light beams emitted from the light source, into generally parallel or convergent bundles of rays. The converging lens has a shape generally symmetrical with respect to the optical axis, and the light emitting points on the light source are disposed on a circle having its center generally on the optical axis. Alternatively, the light source comprises a first light source having one light emitting point, a second light source having a plurality of light emitting points, and a light beam coupling device for unifying the directions of travel of light beams emitted from the first and second light sources.

Abstract: An optical scanning device for deflecting a plurality of light beams is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of deflection means for deflecting each of the plurality of light beams. The means are formed in a thin film waveguide, and distributes a refractive index of the waveguide by an electro-optic effect according to input signals to cause diffraction due to the distributed refractive index, thereby deflecting a plurality of light beams.

Abstract: A laser projection display apparatus including an optical separating device for separating a white light beam emitted from a first optical source into red, green, and blue monochromic light beams, an image signal processing unit for separating a received composite image signal into an image signal and horizontal and vertical synchronous signals, an optical modulator for modulating the monochromic beams according to the image signal output by the image signal processing unit, a galvanometer and a rotating polygonal mirror for vertically and horizontally projecting the modulated beams, respectively, on a screen, a second optical source for radiating light on the reflection planes of the rotating polygonal mirror, and an optical detector for detecting light emitted from the second optical source and reflected by the reflection planes of the rotating polygonal mirror, and transmitting the detection signal to the image signal processing unit, when a starting point of horizontal projection by the rotating polygonal

Abstract: The invention avoids an increase in the number of parts and components which form an apparatus for forming an image, and hence, prevents a main body of the image forming apparatus from completed in a large size.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laser print head, suitable for use with a recording medium, comprising a print head base comprising a plurality of mounting surfaces, one or more optical radiation source removably affixed to a first base mounting surface, at least one collimating lens, at least one focusing lens affixed to a second base mounting surface, a pre-objective lens affixed to a third base mounting surface; an objective lens, and one or more optional mirror facets.

Abstract: A time division multiplexed laser emits two beams of the same wavelength but orthogonal polarization or two beams of different wavelengths from a single laser source for use in a multiple beam raster output scanning system. The multiple beam raster output scanning is obtained from a single raster scanning system (ROS) with a rotating mirror, beneficially a polygon mirror, and a single set of scan optics for use in single or multiple station printers. A plurality of the coaxially overlapping laser beams from the same laser source are deflected using a common mirror surface area and laser beams containing different channels of data signals are subsequently separated by a plurality of dynamic and static beam separators based on polarization or wavelength. The channels of the separated laser beams are directed onto associated photoreceptors.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided an improved multi-beam exposure unit using a plurality of beams for scanning, in which shifts between the beams are reduced so that images can be accurately superposed without color shifts or variations in beam spaces. The multi-beam exposure unit according to the invention has a pre-deflection optical system, which includes light sources, each having light-emitting points arranged individually in the respective positions of the vertexes of a triangle defined by m=3, and a mechanism for collectively adjusting the sub-scanning-direction spaces between light beams from the light sources on an image surface, a deflector having rotatable reflecting surfaces and capable of deflecting the light beams from the pre-deflection optical system in predetermined directions by rotating the reflecting surfaces at a predetermined speed, and a post-deflection optical system for continuously focusing m number of light beams, deflected by the deflector, on the image surface.

Abstract: A multiple-optical scanner includes an optical source that produces a plurality of optical beams such that the plurality of optical beams cross each other substantially at a location of a rotary polygonal mirror when viewed in a direction of a rotational axis of the rotary polygonal mirror.