Specific Optical Structure Patents (Class 347/256)
  • Patent number: 7460145
    Abstract: A multi-beam scanning apparatus includes a light source having first and second light source sections that hold a pair of semi-conductor laser diodes and coupling lenses that couple four beams irradiated from the pair of semi-conductor laser diodes with a base member. A light beam deviating device may be provided so as to deviate the four beams. A scan imaging device is also provided so as to scan a scan receiving surface with beam spots of the beams deviated by the light beam deviating device. A beam pitch-detecting device is also provided so as to detect a beam pitch of the respective beams formed on the scan-receiving surface. A beam pitch correcting device is provided in order to correct the beam pitch by causing relative deviation of a light axis among the respective beams on a sub scanning direction cross sectional plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Taku Amada, Kazuyuki Shimada
  • Patent number: 7427999
    Abstract: A first optical scanning device for scanning image data of colors (yellow, magenta, cyan and black) which serve as the basic for formation of color image employs an optical system having optical characteristic stable to changes in temperature in common, the optical system being incorporated in a single optical box. Inexpensive resin material is employed for its lens in a second optical scanning device for scanning image data of pale color or a special color having a large tolerance amount to color deviation or spot diameter. Further, an inexpensive second optical scanning device saving space is formed by reducing the optical path length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Haruhiko Nakatsu
  • Patent number: 7369268
    Abstract: A printing apparatus (100) for printing digital images onto a photosensitive medium (140) employing, for exposure energy, a light source (20) that uses various arrays of LEDs (32). The printing apparatus (100) may form the print image using sequential modulation, one color at a time, or by applying all colors simultaneously. Arrangements of discrete LEDs (32) may include high-intensity devices configured with collector cones (41) arranged as a multicone structure (141), with parabolic reflectors (65), or collimating lenses (36). Large area LEDs (46) may alternately be used, arranged on an angled mounting surface (64), for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Martin E. Oehlbeck, Richard L. Druzynski, Robert J. Zolla, James E. Roddy
  • Patent number: 7355616
    Abstract: A polarization-direction-controlling element comprising a ½ wavelength plate disposed with a crystal optical axis tilted at substantially 45 degrees with respect to a polarization direction of a beam of light separated by a polarization-separating element with a part of a laser beam transmitted, is provided on the optical path of the laser beam, outputted from a plurality of semiconductor lasers, between an outlet for the laser beams at a fiber array and a polarization-separating element for separating the laser beam into two beams of light having mutually orthogonal polarization directions. A polarization-direction-controlling element capable of improving the quality of recorded images in an exposing-recording device using an element with polarization dependency and an exposure device capable of improving the quality of recorded images can also be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Ichirou Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 7348549
    Abstract: Provided is a light scanning apparatus, including a light source, a light source controller to control an on/off operation of the light source, a light deflector deflecting light emitted from the light source, an image formation optical system to direct light deflected by the light deflector on a scan area of a to-be-scanned surface, a synchronous signal detector to receive the light emitted from the light source and to detect a synchronous signal for light scanning, and a light path changer changing a path of light emitted from the light source and incident upon the light deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Hwan Yoo
  • Publication number: 20080062244
    Abstract: Various methods and embodiments for laser writing are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Kuohua Wu, Andrew L. Van Brocklin, Cari L. Dorsh
  • Patent number: 7342732
    Abstract: An optical mount (1) for optical component (2) which has a edge contour (4) relative to extending radially optical axis (A), includes a rigid optical support (3) having an axially oriented stop edge (5), which is suitable for an axial contact with the optical component (2), and at least one flexible spring element which is arranged radially outside the stop edge (5), extends axially on the component side and is curved radially inward. The radial spring element passes at an axial distance from the stop edge into a circumferentially closed jacket sleeve an inner contour (8) of which extends farther radially than the edge contour (4) of the optical component (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Lieu-Kim Dang, Roman Steffen, Mustafa Kücük, Christian Haefele
  • Patent number: 7327380
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for printing a multibit per pixel image (10) from a halftone binary digital bitmap having pixels having a multibit per pixel image memory for receiving the multibit per pixel image; a lookup table (16) external to the memory disposed in a programmable gate array (18) for converting the multibit per pixel image to a base duty cycle (20) wherein the base duty cycle is disposed in the programmable gate array and is adapted for creating a modulated drive signal (22) from the base duty cycle to modulate an exposure (24) for each pixel in the multibit per pixel image; and a printer (28) adapted for using the modulated exposure to print an image, having a dpi greater than 1400, further comprising a drum (32) capable of spinning, and an encoder (34) disposed on the drum for providing a home signal (36) and a pixel rate (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kurt M. Sanger, Thomas A. Mackin, Seung Ho Baek
  • Patent number: 7304660
    Abstract: An optical beam scanning device of the present invention has a light source, a deflection reflecting surface for deflecting to scan light from the light source on a recording medium, and a diaphragm device which is provided between the light source and the deflection reflecting surface, and the diaphragm has an opening section formed by a nonplanar light shielding section. The light shielding section makes light shielding quantity of the light from the light source in a vertical scanning direction different in positions in a horizontal scanning direction and in a light advancing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasushi Kuribayashi
  • Patent number: 7298389
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for drawing a visible image on an optical disk incorporate an optical pickup, which irradiates an optical beam onto the optical disk through its objective lens. The optical disk, which has a target layer on which the drawing is to be performed, is rotated while applying an oscillation signal to a focus actuator of the optical pickup to thereby vibrate the objective lens in an optical-axis direction thereof so that the focus point of the optical beam recurrently passes through the target layer of the optical disk. The power of the optical beam is controlled to form a recording spot on the target layer each time the focus point of the optical beam passes through the target layer so that a visible light property of the target layer is changed to thereby perform the drawing on the target layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Toyofumi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7292259
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for recording a datum onto a pixel on a light-sensitive sheet. The system essentially includes a light-emitting device and an interfering device. The interfering device has a plurality of gratings. According to the datum, at least one grating is selected from the plurality of gratings. Before the datum is recorded, the selected grating and the light-emitting device are both moved so as to align with the pixel. Then, the light-emitting device is driven to emit a light through the selected grating. Thereby, the datum is recorded on the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: BENQ Corporation
    Inventors: Meng-Shin Yen, Wai William Wang
  • Patent number: 7286154
    Abstract: A polarization-direction-controlling element comprising a ½ wavelength plate disposed with a crystal optical axis tilted at substantially 45 degrees with respect to a polarization direction of a beam of light separated by a polarization-separating element with a part of a laser beam transmitted, is provided on the optical path of the laser beam, outputted from a plurality of semiconductor lasers, between an outlet for the laser beams at a fiber array and a polarization-separating element for separating the laser beam into two beams of light having mutually orthogonal polarization directions. A polarization-direction-controlling element capable of improving the quality of recorded images in an exposing-recording device using an element with polarization dependency and an exposure device capable of improving the quality of recorded images can also be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Ichirou Miyagawa
  • Publication number: 20070242128
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes light source having multiple light-emitting portions, rotating polygonal mirror which deflects a beam that is emitted from light source, and photosensitive member which is exposed by beams in an image period that is included in one scanning cycle of the beam. One scanning cycle of the beam includes an image period and a non-image period. This apparatus includes selection unit which selects one or more light-emitting portions to be used in image period from among multiple light-emitting portions, and driving unit which drives selected light-emitting portions to emit a beam in a non-image period that is immediately before image period. This apparatus further includes control unit which executes auto light power control for one or more light-emitting portions to be used in image period according to light power of beams detected by beam detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Fumitaka SOBUE
  • Patent number: 7283152
    Abstract: A collimation assembly is associated with a printhead housing for generating a substantially collimated laser beam. The collimation assembly comprises: a collimation housing mounted to the printhead housing to support a collimation lens; an adjustment bracket positioned adjacent the collimation housing; and a light source generating a light beam. The adjustment bracket comprises a mount member for receiving the light source such that the light beam is directed toward the collimation lens. The mount member may include first and second sections and a hinge defined between the first and second sections so as to allow the mount member to flex when receiving the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Dana Allen Dodds
  • Patent number: 7280130
    Abstract: An optical multi-beam scanning device has a plurality of pre-deflection optical units, an optical path synthesizing member and an excessive light processing member. The excessive light processing member processes excessive light emitted from an excessive light emitting surface with is not an incident surface nor an emitting surface of the optical path synthesizing member. The excessive light processing member has a multi-stage taper constitution with a plurality of taper surfaces having different tilt angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasushi Kuribayashi
  • Patent number: 7265773
    Abstract: An image detection device includes a light source, an image sensor, a light guiding device, an image focusing device and a housing. The light source is configured to irradiate a pattern image with a light beam. The light guiding device is located on a first light path from the light source to the pattern image and is configured to guide the light beam irradiated by the light source to the image and further guide the light reflected from the pattern image to the image sensor along a second light path. The image focusing device is located on the second light path of from the light guiding device to the image sensor and is configured to focus the light reflected from the pattern image on the image sensor. The housing is configured to contain the light source, the image sensor, the light guiding device and the image focusing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Satoh, Minoru Aoki
  • Patent number: 7247841
    Abstract: Provided is a light scanning apparatus, including a light source, a light source controller to control an on/off operation of the light source, a light deflector deflecting light emitted from the light source, an image formation optical system to direct light deflected by the light deflector on a scan area of a to-be-scanned surface, a synchronous signal detector to receive the light emitted from the light source and to detect a synchronous signal for light scanning, and a light path changer changing a path of light emitted from the light source and incident upon the light deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Hwan Yoo
  • Patent number: 7218337
    Abstract: An optical scanner includes a light source which emits a light beam, a reflection mirror which has a reflection surface, a first axis parallel to a main-scanning direction, and a second axis along the reflection surface and perpendicular to the first axis, and an optical element which adjusts a position of a scanning line in a sub-scanning direction, the optical element having a beam-incidence surface, a third axis parallel to the main-scanning direction on the beam-incidence surface, and a fourth axis perpendicular to the third axis and along a beam-incidence direction. A first adjustment unit is provided to rotate the reflection mirror around the second axis in order to attain uniformity of a scanning speed. A second adjustment unit is provided to rotate the optical element around the fourth axis in order to correct an inclination of the scanning line to a desired position of the scanning line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masato Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7187399
    Abstract: In an exposure head of the invention, plural first micro-focusing elements are arranged in a first microlens array so as to correspond to plural micromirrors in a DMD. An aperture array that includes plural apertures arranged so as to respectively correspond to the plural first micro-focusing elements is disposed. The apertures allow only main portions of Fraunhofer diffraction images to be transmitted therethrough. The main portions of the Fraunhofer diffraction images transmitted through the apertures are imaged on an exposure plane by second micro-focusing elements of a second microlens array. According to the exposure head of the invention, cross-talk light and scattered light can be effectively reduced, and beam diameters of beam spots projected on the exposure plane through the apertures can be adjusted to a required size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Noguchi, Hiromi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7154525
    Abstract: Focus adjustment of an optical writing unit is performed based on an image of a test pattern formed on a paper sheet. The pattern includes bars of density levels associated with adjustment quantity information indicating numerical values corresponding to the numbers of rotation of adjustment motors and adjustment screws. The density levels decrease as the amount of displacement of the unit with respect to a photosensitive drum increases. A focus adjustment device accepts an input of the numerical values indicated beside the unprinted bars of the lowest density levels and causes the motors to turn by the numbers of rotation indicated by the input numerical values to move the unit to the position of correct focus. It is possible to perform focus adjustment of the unit with ease and high accuracy regardless of whether the unit is for forming binary or multi-valued images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ayumu Oda, Kyosuke Taka, Takaharu Motoyama, Norio Tomita, Shohichi Fukutome, Nobuo Manabe
  • Patent number: 7151556
    Abstract: A sub-scanning interval adjusting apparatus for a multi-beam scanning unit adjusts an interval between at least two laser lines that are formed on a photoreceptor drum without causing starting points of image formation to vary. In the multi-beam scanning unit simultaneously emitting at least two laser beams by using at least two laser sources, the sub-scanning interval adjusting apparatus includes a transparent member varying in thickness depending on its height, in a direction where the laser beams pass through, the transparent member having an inclined lower side with respect to a scanning direction of the laser beams, and a movable member having an inclined side corresponding to the inclined lower side of the transparent member, thereby adjusting an interval between the laser beams by moving the movable member in the scanning direction and thus varying the height of the transparent member with respect to the laser sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-hwan Yoo
  • Patent number: 7145589
    Abstract: A light scanning apparatus that scans a scanned face with a light beam includes an adjusting unit that adjusts the position of a light spot of the light beam formed on the scanned face, and a compensating unit that compensates the light intensity of the light beam at the scanned face due to change caused by the adjustment of the position of the light spot. Accordingly, the light scanning apparatus can reduce or eliminate the deviation in exposure between scan lines of the multi-beam scan method and the deviation in exposure between photosensitive bodies of the tandem type image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Taku Amada, Takeshi Ueda
  • Patent number: 7136084
    Abstract: A laser projection system is disclosed. The laser projection system includes a laser light source that is configured to selectively provide laser light. The system also includes an input beam deflection unit receiving the laser light and configured to deflect the laser light. The input beam deflection unit is configured to selectively change the angle of deflection of the laser light. A selection lens is also a part of the laser projection system and is configured to refract the laser light. A mask having at least one aperture is used. The mask receives the refracted laser light from the selection lens. A selected area of the mask is selectively illuminated by the refracted laser light. Further, a collection lens receives at least a portion of the laser light from the at least one aperture and refracts the portion of laser light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: Timothy J. Miller
  • Patent number: 7116348
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a device includes introducing each color of material into a plurality of liquid droplet ejection heads and scanning the plurality of liquid droplet ejection heads relative to a substrate through a head unit to selectively eject the material, wherein the head unit includes a carriage with two members recognized for alignment, each member being disposed in an object set in position and having formed therein a mark for image-wise recognition, each member comprising a member main body formed substantially in a columnar shape and having a mirror-finished front end surface, wherein the marks are formed into a depressed shape in a substantially central part of the front end surface of each member main body and the marks are disposed at a distance from each other, and the plurality of liquid droplet ejection heads mounted on the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Nakamura, Yoshiaki Yamada
  • Patent number: 7084896
    Abstract: A multi-beam scanning device is provided with a light source that emits a plurality of light beams, a polygonal mirror that deflects the light beams to scan, and an optical system that converges the deflected light beams on a plurality of objects to be scanned. The objects are arranged on a side, with respect to the polygonal mirror, in which the light beams scan, from a position closer to the polygonal mirror to a position farther from the polygonal mirror in order. The optical system further includes a plurality of optical path turning systems that turn optical paths of the deflected light beams, respectively. Each of the optical path turning systems includes a plurality of reflection surfaces, the numbers of the reflection surfaces of the optical path turning systems are all even, or odd.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Hama, Susumu Mikajiri, Yasushi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7053921
    Abstract: The transfer apparatus includes a light source, a light linearizing device for linearizing light from the light source, a transmission type image display device, and a photosensitive recording medium. The light source, the light linearizing device, the transmission type image display device and the photosensitive recording medium are arranged along a direction in which the light from the light source advances, and a display image transmitted through the image display device is transferred to the photosensitive image recording medium. The light linearizing device converts the light from the light source into linear and substantially parallel rays such that the linear and substantially parallel rays can be incident on a display screen of the image display device and scans relatively the display screen of the image display device with the linear and substantially parallel rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoyoshi Chino
  • Patent number: 7050082
    Abstract: An optical scanning characteristic control method is applied to an optical scanning system in which a beam is deflected, and the deflected beam is converged and directed toward a scanning surface, so that optical scanning of the scanning surface is performed by an optical spot formed thereon by the deflected beam. The method comprising the steps of a) disposing a beam deflection control device on the light path of the beam before it is incident on the scanning surface; and b) controlling a beam deflection amount of the beam deflecting device provide to an incident beam so as to control a scanning characteristic of the optical scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Suzuki, Naoki Miyatake, Taku Amada, Seizo Suzuki, Kazuyuki Shimada, Satoru Itoh
  • Patent number: 7050083
    Abstract: A sub-scanning interval adjusting apparatus for a multi-beam laser scanning unit adjusts an interval between at least two laser lines that are formed on a photoreceptor drum without causing starting points of image formation to vary. In the multi-beam laser scanning unit simultaneously emitting at least two laser beams by using at least two laser sources, the sub-scanning interval adjusting apparatus includes a transparent member varying in thickness depending on its height, in a direction where the laser beams pass through, the transparent member having an inclined lower side with respect to a scanning direction of the laser beams, and a movable member having an inclined side corresponding to the inclined lower side of the transparent member, thereby adjusting an interval between the laser beams by moving the movable member in the scanning direction and thus varying the height of the transparent member with respect to the laser sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-hwan Yoo
  • Patent number: 7045773
    Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus is provided, in which the optical scanning apparatus includes: a light source emitting an optical beam; an optical deflection unit deflecting the optical beam emitted from the light source; a scanning optical arrangement scanning a scanned surface by the optical beam in a main scanning direction; and an optical beam detection unit detecting the optical beam moving in the main scanning direction. The optical beam detection unit includes a first photodetector and a second photodetector, and the first photodetector including a first part and a second part that are electrically connected, wherein a first gap is formed between an edge of the first part and a first edge of the second photodetector, a second gap is formed between an edge of the second part and a second edge of the second photodetector, and the first gap and the second gap are not parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Suzuki, Seizo Suzuki, Satoru Itoh
  • Patent number: 6980321
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of printing images onto a photosensitive media (140) using multiple reflective spatial light modulators (87, 88, 89, 90, 95, 97). In the apparatus and method, illumination optics uniformize and image light from at least one light source (20) through polarization beamsplitting elements (60, 63). The polarization beamsplitting elements (60, 63) divide the illumination light into two polarization states. One polarization state of the illumination light illuminates the reflective spatial light modulators (87, 88, 89, 90, 95, 97) in a telecentric manner. The reflective spatial light modulators (87, 88, 89, 90, 95, 97) are addressed with image data signals. The reflective spatial light modulators (87, 88, 89, 90, 95, 97) modulate the polarized illumination light on a site by site basis and reflect the modulated light back through the polarization beamsplitting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Sujatha Ramanujan, David Kessler, James E. Roddy
  • Patent number: 6967671
    Abstract: A polarization-direction-controlling element having a ½ wavelength plate disposed with a crystal optical axis tilted at substantially 45 degrees with respect to a polarization direction of a beam of light separated by a polarization-separating element with a part of a laser beam transmitted, is provided on the optical path of the laser beam, outputted from a plurality of semiconductor lasers, between an outlet for the laser beams at a fiber array and a polarization-separating element for separating the laser beam into two beams of light having mutually orthogonal polarization directions. A polarization-direction-controlling element capable of improving the quality of recorded images in an exposing-recording device using an element with polarization dependency and an exposure device capable of improving the quality of recorded images can also be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ichirou Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 6965104
    Abstract: A laser scanner with excellent productivity is provided in which most parts can be commonly used so as to recycle individually costly and expensive components once used in one product from the points of view of ecology, resource savings and recycling. The laser scanner includes a light source with a laser diode, a polygon motor with a polygon mirror mounted on a rotating shaft thereof, scanning lenses, a BD detection device, and a scanner casing with the BD detection device being held thereby and received therein. The single scanner casing is provided therein with a mounting bearing surface, which serves to permit a plurality of mirror configurations to be housed and arranged therein in accordance with the presence or absence of a reflection mirror, whereby it is possible to selectively form optical paths for irradiating a plurality of laser beams onto a photosensitive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshimasu Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6961078
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for putting color to glass. This method includes the steps of (a) introducing a laser beam into an interferometer such that the laser beam is split into at least first and second laser beams in the interferometer and that the at least first and second laser beams come out of the interferometer; and (b) irradiating a glass with the at least first and second laser beams to write a plurality of lines simultaneously on a surface of the glass and/or in an inside of the glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignees: Central Glass Company, Limited, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Takashi Yamate, Hiroyuki Tamon, Shinji Nishikawa, Hiroshi Uemura, Kohei Kadono, Tomoko Akai, Masaru Yamashita, Tetsuo Yazawa
  • Patent number: 6952289
    Abstract: The integrated image reading/writing head (X) includes a substrate (4) having a surface (40) provided with a reading circuit including a plurality of light receiving elements (20), a plurality of printing elements (60) and a writing circuit for controlling the printing elements (60). The substrate (4) is fitted with a connector (8) for electrical wiring. The connector (8) is electrically connected with each of the reading circuit, the printing elements and the writing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisayoshi Fujimoto, Hiroaki Onishi, Toshihiko Takakura, Norihiro Imamura
  • Patent number: 6947184
    Abstract: An image read/write head (A) includes a support (7) for supporting at least one of paired platen rollers (P1, P2) and a detector (2) for detecting at least one of a document (D) and a recording paper (K). Therefore, an image processing apparatus incorporating the image read/write head (A) can be easily manufactured. The image read/write head (A) further includes a reflection preventing member (6) for collectively surrounding the plurality of light receiving elements (3) and the plurality of drive IC chips (80). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the plurality of light receiving elements from receiving scattering light or disturbing external light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Onishi, Hisayoshi Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 6940618
    Abstract: A linefeed calibration method for identifying media advancement errors utilizes plural test patterns, including both a base pattern and an overlay pattern that are printed overlying each other to form an interference pattern. A sensor detects overall alignment of the interference pattern. That overall alignment is compared to alignment of at least a second interference pattern to identify a linefeed advance error. The error is correlated to a position on a media advancement mechanism such as a roller. A processor then adjusts the media advancement mechanism to correct the identified media advancement error. Under-advance errors, over-advance errors and skew errors may be identified using the described method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Erick Kinas
  • Patent number: 6933958
    Abstract: A member to be recognized for alignment is disposed in an object to be set in position and having formed therein a mark for image-wise recognition. The member is made up of a member main body formed substantially in a columnar shape and having a mirror-finished front end surface. The mark is formed into a depressed shape in substantially central part of the front end surface of the member main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Nakamura, Yoshiaki Yamada
  • Patent number: 6930797
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of printing images (10) onto a photosensitive media (140) using multiple reflective spatial light modulators. In the apparatus and method, illumination optics (25) uniformize and image light from at least one light source through polarization beamsplitting elements (80). The polarization beamsplitting elements (80) divide the illumination light into two polarization states. One polarization state of the illumination light illuminates the reflective spatial light modulators in a telecentric manner. The reflective spatial light modulators are addressed with image data signals. The reflective spatial light modulators modulate the polarized illumination light on a site by site basis and reflect the modulated light back through the polarized beamsplitting elements (80). The modulated light beams are combined to form an image, which is directed through a print lens (110) to expose a photosensitive media (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Sujatha Ramanujan, David Kessler, James E. Roddy
  • Patent number: 6927883
    Abstract: A high definition light-scanning optical apparatus uses an oblique incidence optical system and has a simple configuration that does not exert any adverse effect on the quality of the image formed by it as the elements of the apparatus are appropriately arranged. The light-scanning optical apparatus comprises an incidence optical system adapted to cause the light beam emitted from an incident light emitting light source including a fold mirror to strike a deflection plane of an optical deflector with a predetermined angle in the sub-scanning section and a focussing optical system for focussing the light beam reflected by the deflection plane of the optical deflector on a surface to be scanned. The focussing optical system includes an f? lens system having a spherical lens and a first cylindrical lens showing power in the main-scanning direction and a second cylindrical lens showing power in the sub-scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 6897888
    Abstract: A scanning system uses a multi-beam brush having a widely separated beams, a modulator that controls intensity of pixels in scan beams, an optical system that minimizes scan line bow at the expense of non-uniform scanning beam velocity, and a timing generator that generates a pixel clock signal having a variable period that compensates for the non-uniformity of pixel velocity. The wide separation of scan beams permits the modulator to turn beams on or off with a direction of brightening or darkening in the cross-section of the beams being opposite to the scanning direction. A novel arrangement of the beams in the brush permits a uniform indexing step size to uniformly expose an image region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul C. Allen, Michael J. Bohan, Morris H. Green, Henry Christopher Hamaker
  • Patent number: 6872913
    Abstract: A laser unit, which provides markings on a surface of a continuous strip of metal, includes a laser for generating a beam of laser radiation. The laser unit further includes a lens arrangement for focusing the laser beam onto the surface of the strip, and a beam scanner that effects a controlled deflection of the laser beam in two mutually perpendicular directions. The beam scanner is arranged intermediate the laser and the lens arrangement. The laser unit is operable to provide laser engraved markings at exact locations on the surface when the strip intermittently is in an immobilized condition before being fed into a subsequent processing apparatus, which mechanically shapes the thus-marked strip into marked articles to be included in cans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: REXAM AB
    Inventor: Manfred Jendick
  • Patent number: 6842187
    Abstract: An optical beam scanning device includes plural light sources, a pre-deflection optical unit, a light deflection unit, a post-deflection optical unit, and a horizontal synchronization unit. One of the formed plural latent images is formed by plural light beams while the other latent images are respectively formed by one light beam, and the light deflection unit deflects the light beams forming the plurality latent images by one surface or integrally processed surface thereof. The horizontal synchronization unit is on a position of an upstream side of scanning lines forming the latent image formed by the plural light beams and deflects that the light beam forming the latent image formed by the plural light beams reaches a predetermined position. The image forming apparatus employs the optical beam scanning device and controls timing to form images by the respective light beams with reference to a moment when the light to be detected reaches a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 6833855
    Abstract: A multi-beam scan optical system and an image forming apparatus using the same are provided in which high-quality printing can be realized at high speed with a relatively simple construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6806897
    Abstract: An optical head 1 of an image recording apparatus 10 is provided with a light-source water-cooling jacket 41 for cooling a light source 11 and a device water-cooling jacket 42 for cooling the Grating Light Valve 12 and a light-shield water-cooling jacket 43. The optical head 10 is also provided with a mirror 31 for reflecting a light form the light source 11 in a non-recording status and mirrors 32, 33 for reflecting non-signal light beams from the light valve 12, and the lights from these mirrors are directed to the light-shield water-cooling jacket 43. Further, a refrigerant from a chiller unit goes through the light-source water-cooling jacket 41, the device water-cooling jacket 42 and the light-shield water-cooling jacket 43 in this order. With this constitution, it is possible to efficiently cool all the heat sources and in the optical head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Kataoka, Eiichi Tamaki
  • Patent number: 6803940
    Abstract: A laser beam scanner for scanning primary colors of red, green and blue laser beams on the same scanning plane includes three sets of a laser light source, an acousto-optic modulator, an adjustable mirror corresponding to the primary colors, and a polygon mirror, an f&thgr; lens, and a pair of mirrors. One of the mirrors serves as a beam splitter for splitting the laser beams into a first way for introducing the laser beams to the scanning plane and the second way for introducing a position sensor disposed on a plane optically conjugated with the scanning plane. The adjustable mirrors are adjusted in a manner so that the red and blue laser beams are to be overlapped on the green laser beam by monitoring the positions of laser beams sensed by the position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kozo Mano
  • Patent number: 6791594
    Abstract: A laser imaging apparatus is provided with a light source unit that emits a laser beam including a first beam and a second beam. The central axes of the first beam and the second beams substantially coincide with each other. The first beam includes non-visible light, and the second beam includes visible light. The imaging apparatus further includes a modulating system that modulates the beam emitted by the light source unit, a deflecting system that deflects the beam modulated by the modulating system to scan within a predetermined angular range, and an imaging optical system that converges the deflected beam to form a scanning beam spot on a surface to be scanned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventor: Shuichi Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20040169715
    Abstract: A mirror mount adjusts the curvature of a cylindrical mirror along the optical axis of the mirror, typically the wobble correction mirror, to adjust the scanline bow for an optical scanner. By adjusting the curvature in the mirror mount of the cylindrical axis of the mirror in the plane parallel to the mirror, the scanline bows among multiple ROS's can be approximately equalized. A mirror mount has two fixed abutments on the upper edge of the cylindrical mirror and two moveable abutment points along the lower edge of the mirror. The mirror mount adjusts the curvature of the cylindrical mirror vertically for a horizontal beam to adjust the scanline bow for a single beam and approximately equalize the scanline bow for multiple. ROS units in the printing system. During the bow adjustment the cross sectional shape of the cylindrical mirror is maintained so that the cross scan spotsize is maintained during the adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Russell B. Rauch
  • Patent number: 6778202
    Abstract: An optical scanning device of the present invention includes a light source, forwardly deflecting optical set including a first lens for providing light beams from the light source with a predetermined characteristic, and a second lens for converging the light beams from the first lens in a first direction, a polygonal mirror unit for deflecting the light beams from the forwardly deflecting optical set into a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and a third lens for forming the light beams deflected by the polygonal mirror unit as an image onto a predetermined image surface at substantially equal speed. The second lens includes a resin lens and a glass cylinder lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Shiraishi, Masao Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20040150710
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for printing a multibit per pixel image (10) from a halftone binary digital bitmap having pixels having a multibit per pixel image memory for receiving the multibit per pixel image; a lookup table (16) external to the memory disposed in a programmable gate array (18) for converting the multibit per pixel image to a base duty cycle (20) wherein the base duty cycle is disposed in the programmable gate array and is adapted for creating a modulated drive signal (22) from the base duty cycle to modulate an exposure (24) for each pixel in the multibit per pixel image; and a printer (28) adapted for using the modulated exposure to print an image, having a dpi greater than 1400, further comprising a drum (32) capable of spinning, and an encoder (34) disposed on the drum for providing a home signal (36) and a pixel rate (38).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kurt M. Sanger, Thomas A. Mackin, Seung Ho Baek
  • Patent number: 6762786
    Abstract: This invention relates to an illumination system and method for imaging thermosensitive or light-sensitive media such as printing plate precursors. More particularly, this invention is directed to an illumination system in which laser light is conveyed to a modulator, and the modulated laser light is passed through separating means to permit only the passage of zero order radiant energy which is employed to image the media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Inventor: Michel Moulin