Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes: a light source for emitting a laser light ray; a cylinder lens for converting the laser light ray into a first convergent light ray that converges only in a sub-scanning direction and remains unchanged in a main scanning direction; a deflection unit for deflecting the first convergent light ray from the cylinder lens; a focusing unit for converting the deflected light ray into a second convergent light ray that converges in the main scanning direction, and for focusing the second convergent light ray on a scanned surface as a light spot; an aperture unit, arranged between the light source and the deflection unit, for blocking an outer peripheral portion of the laser light ray and for restricting a width of the laser light ray in the sub-scanning direction to a first width of an aperture of the aperture unit; and an adjusting unit for adjusting the first width of the aperture of the aperture unit so as to eliminate a deviation of the diameter of the light spot on the sca

Abstract: Dot width data of a plurality patterns each corresponding to a recording range in one scanning operation are stored in a memory in advance. Each dot width data required to correct an f-.theta. error is used to determine each dot width in one scanning operation. In accordance with the operation of an address counter, a bus switching circuit selectively reads out dot width data of a pattern different from a preceding pattern from the memory for each scanning operation, and outputs the data to a latch circuit. A programmable counter determines each dot width of image data on the basis of the dot width data from the latch circuit. A laser diode driver ON/OFF-controls a laser beam from a laser diode on the basis of the image data from the programmable counter.

Abstract: A laser beam printer includes a movable mirror which is rotated by a scan mirror motor. Laser light is alternately deflected toward an information reading station and an information writing station by applying the laser light to the movable mirror from a semiconductor laser. The laser light is switched between writing-use light and reading-use light at the time the movable mirror is rotated through a predetermined angle. In the laser beam printer having the semiconductor laser which is used for both writing and reading information, information is written and read out during one rotation of the movable mirror. It is therefore possible to perform a reading operation and a writing operation simultaneously by simply switching the laser light at the predetermined time depending on the rotation angle of the movable mirror.

Abstract: In an optical scanning apparatus, a light beam emitted from a light source is collimated and is incident on a reflecting surface of a deflector via stop member. The deflector deflectively reflects the light beam to be directed to a surface to be scanned. The light beam deflectively reflected by the deflector is converged on the surface to be scanned by an optical system. The stop member has an aperture which is constructed such that a circular shape aperture and a slit-like shape aperture are combined. The width of the slit-like shape aperture is arranged in a sub-scanning direction while the circular portion of the circular shape aperture is arranged in a main scanning direction.

Abstract: A thermal imaging assembly for imaging a heat-sensitive material comprising:a source of radiant or projected energy (9)two surfaces (1,3) which co-operate to form a pinch (5), one of the two surfaces being the surface of a solid roller (1) which is transparent to the exposing radiation;means to bias one or both surfaces against the other so as to exert a minimum pinch pressure of at least 10 g/mm.sup.2,the assembly being constructed and arranged such that radiation from the source is focused at the pinch by means of the solid roller (1).

Abstract: A method for automatically effecting calibration between an image processing apparatus and a control device of an automatic machine. Jig data for calibration and the position of a robot, fitted with a jig which can be photographed by a camera at the time of calibration, are previously given as instructions. In response to a calibration command, the robot, fitted with the jig, moves to a point of instruction, the image processing apparatus photographs the jig and fetches an image after the movement. A calibration process is executed in accordance with data of the photographed image, set jig data, and robot position. When the jig data and the instruction point are first set and given once as instructions, the calibration thereafter can be automatically effected only by mounting the jig on the robot and inputting the calibration command.

Abstract: A copying machine for forming an image by scanning a laser beam which is emitted from an optical system on a photosensitive member. Photosensors are provided at optically equivalent positions to a beginning portion and an end portion of a scanning line on a photosensitive member. A scanning time of a laser beam in the main scanning direction is measured by these photosensors. The measured time and a standard time for a copy magnification set by an operator are compared, and a correction value is calculated, and at the same time, magnification in the main scanning direction is corrected using the correcting value. Also, focusing (adjusting of the beam diameter) is carried out using the photosensors. Each of the photosensors contains a photoelectric transfer element, and a beam which comes through a slit is incident to the element. Each photosensor is provided with two slits. One is perpendicular to the main scanning direction, and the other is inclined to the main scanning direction.

Abstract: An optical element for the transmission of a light beam moving in a scan direction in an electrophotographic printer provides real-time feedback to monitor the motion of the scan. A member elongated in the scan direction is adapted for the transmission of light therethrough in a direction transverse to the scan direction. An optical pattern along a portion of the member in the scan direction includes at least one surface for the non-transmission of light passing transverse to the scan direction.

Abstract: In a method of writing a line of image on a photoreceptor with a laser beam in a main scanning direction, and of shifting in a sub-scanning direction to a next main-scanning line to write a next line of image, the method includes a step of shaping the laser beam spot on the photoreceptor to be in a form of an oval, said oval having a major axis that is in a direction that is in parallel to a main scanning direction of the laser.

Abstract: An optical shutter device comprises an electro-optic layer of a material that shows the electro-optic Kerr effect, an array of shutter regions defined on the electro-optic layer for controlling a passage of an optical beam through the layer, a plurality of electrodes provided on the electro-optic layer in correspondence to the shutter regions for applying a predetermined electric field upon energization, a driver circuit connected to each pair of the electrodes for energizing the same independently from each other, a biasing circuit connected to the plurality of electrodes for applying a predetermined d.c. bias voltage thereto, a switching circuit for inverting the polarity of the d.c.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has auxiliary reflecting mirrors placed around the lateral peripheries of a fixed reflecting mirror and a controller for moving the auxiliary reflecting mirrors so as to control the distance therebetween according to the size of a sheet of paper, thereby reducing the difference of light intensity between the center of the image and on the flanks thereof.