Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus of the embodiment includes a roller, a plurality of developing units, an image forming unit, a sensor, and a control unit. The rollers carry a sheet. The plurality of developing units include different types of developing materials. The image forming unit forms a plurality of images on a transfer belt by the developing materials of each of the plurality of developing units. The sensor reads the plurality of images formed on the transfer belt. The control unit controls the speed of the roller based on the positions of the plurality of images read by the sensor.

Abstract: A depth image generating apparatus includes a light source configured to emit light; an optical shutter provided on a path of the light reflected by an object and configured to modulate a waveform of the reflected light by changing a transmissivity of the optical shutter with respect to the reflected light; a driver configured to apply a driving voltage to the light source and a driving voltage to the optical shutter; a temperature measurer configured to measure a temperature of the optical shutter; a controller configured to control driving voltages; and a depth information obtainer configured to generate an image corresponding to the reflected light that passes through the optical shutter, extract a phase difference between a phase of the light emitted by the light source to the object and a phase of the reflected light, and obtain depth information regarding the object based on the phase difference.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a movable body configured to illuminate a document with light; and an apparatus body configured to wirelessly transmit power to the movable body, wherein the movable body includes receiver coils, and a feed circuit in which the receiver coils uses receiving power to supply power to a load, the apparatus body includes transmitter coils placed along a track of the receiver coils, the transmitter coils and the receiver coils are placed such that power supply efficiency of any receiver coil with the transmitter coil placed along the track of the receiver coil fluctuates, and power supply efficiency related to one receiver coil increases at a position where power supply efficiency related to the other receiver coil drops, and the feed circuit supplies power sequentially using the receiving power of the receiver coil whose power supply efficiency is increased to highest among the receiver coils.

Abstract: A cleaning blade failure prediction processor for an image forming apparatus includes a pixel count acquisition circuit to acquire pixel count data of a cleaning target of a cleaning blade. The cleaning target is divided into a plurality of areas in a main scanning direction of the cleaning target. The pixel count acquisition circuit acquires a pixel count for each of the plurality of areas of the cleaning target. The cleaning blade failure prediction processor also includes a first cumulative pixel count calculation circuit to calculate a cumulative pixel count for each of the plurality of areas of the cleaning target, a second cumulative pixel count calculation circuit to calculate a cumulative pixel count per distance traveled of the cleaning target, and a deformation identification circuit to determine whether or not the cleaning blade shows signs of deformation according to the cumulative pixel count per distance traveled.

Abstract: A data processing device transmits a control command and print data to an image forming device. When a main controller causes a communication controller to transmit the print data to the image forming device, the main controller causes a memory part to save a setting data at least until the main controller receives a notification of print process completion, and causes a display part to display, for example, a copy count change screen that displays settings of the print data that is changeable by the input part.

Abstract: An erasing apparatus comprises a detection section configured to detect whether or not a sheet is set in a sheet supplying section, and a storage section configured to store processing information identifying one or more processes to be carried out on the sheet by the erasing apparatus. The erasing apparatus further comprises a control section configured to control a power supply of a heating element of an erasing section to be on when the detection section detects that a sheet is set in the sheet supplying section and when the one or more processes identified in the processing information includes erasing processing, and control the power supply of the heating element to be off when the detection section detects that a sheet is set in the sheet supplying section and when the one or more processes identified in the processing information does not include erasing processing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image in accordance with light to be emitted from a light source includes: a digital half-toning unit configured to convert a uniform-pixel-value region of image data to a parallel-line pattern formed with a plurality of parallel lines extending obliquely with respect to a direction, in which pixels are arrayed, thereby expressing each gray level of the image data as an area percentage; a modulated-signal generating unit configured to generate a modulated signal by modulating the converted image data with a clock signal; a light-source driving unit configured to drive the light source according to the modulated signal; and an edge control unit configured to narrow a to-be-illuminated region, which is to be illuminated by the light from the light source, in each of edge neighborhoods of the lines constituting the parallel-line pattern, while increasing intensity of the light.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an exposure unit, and a main housing. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the image bearing member. The exposure unit includes an optical device that irradiates the image bearing member with light to form the electrostatic latent image, and a housing that defines a storage space in which the optical device is located. The main housing includes a partition wall that divides an inner space of the main housing into a first space in which the image bearing member is located and a second space in which the exposure unit is located. The housing includes a first opening wall having a first opening through which the storage space communicates with the second space. The optical device irradiates the image bearing member with light through the first opening.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a density detection unit that detects densities of an image developed by a developing unit at a plurality of positions in a main-scanning direction; a processing unit that obtains at least one of an amplitude and a phase of a first periodical density change of the image, of which cycle is a rotation cycle of a photosensitive drum, at the plurality of positions in the main-scanning direction on the basis of an output signal of the density detection unit, and corrects a drive signal for the light source so as to suppress the first periodical density change of the image at each position in the main-scanning direction on the basis of the rotation cycle of the photosensitive drum and at least one of the amplitude and the phase.

Abstract: When a cleaning operation is performed, a controller of an image forming apparatus controls to emit a light beam from a light emitting window so as to form a stripe image in a predetermined position of an intermediate transfer member so as to form a image defect part in the stripe image, which occurs when a cleaning member moving in a reciprocating manner in a main scanning direction along the light emitting window blocks the light beam. In addition, the controller detects the image defect part by a density detecting member. When a predetermined number of image defect parts are not formed in the predetermined position in the period from start to end of the cleaning operation, the controller determines that the cleaning member is within the scanning range of the light beam.

Abstract: In a color image forming apparatus, the amount of light of an exposure unit for a weak exposure is changed according to a remaining service life of a photosensitive drum when the weak exposure is performed for the background area of a corresponding photosensitive drum by using the exposure unit.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a cartridge tray movable between an inside position and an outside position of a main body of the apparatus with supporting a cartridge, a light emitting member having a plurality of light emitting elements for emitting light to expose a photosensitive member in accordance with image information, and a support that supports the light emitting member between an exposure position at which the photosensitive member is exposed with the light emitting element and a retracted position retracted from the exposure position. In addition, an interlocking device moves the support between the exposure position and the retracted position in association with movement of the tray toward the outside and inside positions.

Abstract: A spectral colorimetric apparatus for detecting a color of an image of a subject, including: an illumination optical system illuminating the subject on a detection surface; a spectral optical system including a spectral element spectrally separating the beam diffused by the subject and a light receiving element array detecting a spectral intensity distribution; and a guiding optical system for guiding a beam diffused by the subject, wherein: the detection surface is parallel to a spectral plane including a principal ray of a beam entering the spectral optical system and a principal ray of a beam spectrally separated; the principal ray of the beam enters the spectral optical system within the spectral plane obliquely to a line joining a center of the light receiving element array with a surface vertex of the spectral element; and a light receiving surface of the light receiving element array is orthogonal to the spectral plane.

Abstract: A light source is provided in the casing and emits a light beam for forming an image. A first sensor receives the light beam emitted by the light source and outputs a light reception signal. A cover opens and closes relative to the casing. A shutter prevents the first sensor from receiving the light beam when the cover is at an open position, and allows the first sensor to receive the light beam when the cover is at a closed position. A controller is configured to: execute a lighting process of lighting the light source; execute a first determining process of determining whether the light reception signal is outputted from the first sensor, in response to the lighting process; and determine that the cover is at the open position upon determination in the first determining process that no light reception signal is outputted.

Abstract: Apparatus that forms an image according to image information includes density sensors that detect image density variations in main and sub-scanning directions. A processing device generates correction data for correcting a light source output to suppress the density variations based on detection results. The processing device modifies the correction data such that the light source output after the correction is at least a minimum rated output at a position at which the output after the correction is lower than the minimum rated output, in the relation between a position on the surface of the photosensitive element in the main-scanning direction and the output after the correction, and modifies the correction data such that the light source output after the correction is at most a maximum rated output at a position at which the output after the correction is higher than the maximum rated output.

Abstract: A spectral colorimetric apparatus for detecting a color of an image of a subject, including: an illumination optical system illuminating the subject on a detection surface; a spectral optical system including a spectral element spectrally separating the beam diffused by the subject and a light receiving element array detecting a spectral intensity distribution; and a guiding optical system for guiding a beam diffused by the subject, wherein: the detection surface is parallel to a spectral plane including a principal ray of a beam entering the spectral optical system and a principal ray of a beam spectrally separated; the principal ray of the beam enters the spectral optical system within the spectral plane obliquely to a line joining a center of the light receiving element array with a surface vertex of the spectral element; and a light receiving surface of the light receiving element array is orthogonal to the spectral plane.

Abstract: A method of processing a plurality of source documents into scanned images of the source documents includes evaluating the plurality of source documents to thereby assign one or more source document quality metrics indicative of source document image quality. The plurality of source documents are comprised by a project and the source documents of the project are from a common source document type. The source document types include, for example, book pages, paper documents, microfilm documents, machine-printed documents, handwritten documents, print media documents, public records, microfiche documents, and/or the like. The method also includes scanning each of the plurality of source documents to thereby create one or more electronic image files comprising the scanned images and coupling the source document quality metrics to the electronic image files such that the source document quality metrics are thereafter accessible for post-production activities.

Abstract: A scanner including: a transparent plate; a light emitting unit that emits light to an object on the transparent plate; a sensor to form an image of the object; a focusing lens unit that is arranged on a light path between the transparent plate and the sensor, to focus light from the object onto the sensor; and a controller to determine whether a foreign substance is disposed in the light path, using the image, calculates a position of the foreign substance, and corrects the image on the basis of the calculated position of the foreign substance.

Abstract: An image forming device capable of providing precise positional relationship between an exposure unit and a photosensitive body. The exposure unit having an exposure head elongated in a longitudinal direction and having light emitting sections arrayed in the longitudinal direction. The light elements emit light in an optical axis direction. A frame supports the photosensitive body. A positioning protrusion protrudes in the optical axis direction from one of the frame and the exposure unit. A remaining one of the frame and the exposure unit is formed with a positioning part engageable with the positioning protrusion. A biasing unit provides a biasing force that ensures engagement between the positioning protrusion and the positioning part.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus with a correction function for correcting density of an image, including: an image bearing member configured to convey the image in a first direction; and a controller configured to perform a bias correction and a ? correction for the density, wherein the controller includes: a test patch generator configured to generate on the image bearing member a test patch including a first test patch and a second test patch; a first density sensor configured to detect density of the first test patch; a second density sensor configured to detect density of the second test patch; a selector configured to select one of a first detection signal from the first density sensor and a second detection signal from the second density sensor as a bias-correction detection signal and another detection signal as a ?-correction detection signal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a latent image carrier, a charger to evenly charge a surface of the latent image carrier, a writing device to irradiate a charged surface of the latent image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image, a writing device control unit to control the writing device, a developing device to develop the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image, a transfer device to transfer the toner image onto a transferred member, and a pre-transfer irradiating device to irradiate the charged surface of the latent image carrier during a period after development and before transfer. The writing device control unit controls the writing device based on a target image signal A and an image signal B output a single rotation of the latent image carrier after output of the target image signal A in a sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: Apparatus that forms an image according to image information includes density sensors that detect image density variations in main and sub-scanning directions. A processing device generates correction data for correcting a light source output to suppress the density variations based on detection results. The processing device modifies the correction data such that the light source output after the correction is at least a minimum rated output at a position at which the output after the correction is lower than the minimum rated output, in the relation between a position on the surface of the photosensitive element in the main-scanning direction and the output after the correction, and modifies the correction data such that the light source output after the correction is at most a maximum rated output at a position at which the output after the correction is higher than the maximum rated output.

Abstract: Multiple images are combined where the images exhibit variations in illumination between one another. The images are of the same portion of an object, and each image is represented by a set of image data. A comparative data transform is applied to each set of image data, such that the transformed comparative image data isolates and preserves first variations in the illumination between the images but suppresses second differences in illumination between the images. At least one normalization transform is determined from the transformed comparative image data sets. When applied to at least one of the image data sets, the at least one normalization transform minimizes the variation in illumination between the image data sets. Each determined normalization transform is applied to the at least one of the image data sets. The normalized sets of image data are transformed to a single image of the portion of the object.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of forming a high-resolution image without complicating a circuit construction. A difference between a phase of an operation clock for a ED detection unit and a phase of an operation clock for an image processing unit is measured by a phase measurement unit of the image forming apparatus, and a timing of data delivery between the BD detection unit and the image processing unit is adjusted by a BD input timing adjuster based on a measurement result. A difference between the phase of the operation clock for the image processing unit and a phase of an operation clock for a laser drive unit is measured by the phase measurement unit, and a timing of data delivery between the image processing unit and the laser drive unit is adjusted by an image output timing adjuster based on a measurement result.

Abstract: A multifunction peripheral device capable of being operated in a plurality of switchable operational modes is provided. The multifunction peripheral device includes a reader unit with a light source and a light receiving element to receive the light reflected on the original document to generate image data, operation receiving members, through which a user's instructions are entered, a valid instruction storage unit to store valid instruction information, which defines correspondence between a valid instruction and a valid instruction receiving member, a judging unit to judge as to whether an operation entered through one of the operation receiving members is the valid instruction based on the valid instruction information and a current operational mode, and a switching unit to switch the light source on when the judging unit judges that the entered operation is the valid instruction.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus in which cross-talk noise occurring between plural reading units is reduced, an image reading method and an image reading program are provided. There are included plural reading units that respectively operate at different timings, a noise calculation unit that acquires first read data as a result of reading of a first read object as the read object by the plural reading units, acquires an operation state of the plural reading units during the reading of the first read object, and calculates, based on the operation state and the first read data obtained in the operation state, noise information based on the operation state, and a noise removal unit that acquires second read data as a result of reading of a second read object as the read object different from the first read object by the plural reading units, and removes noise from the second read data based on the noise information calculated by the noise calculation unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus provided with an image forming section, including: a toner density detection section which detect a density of a toner image transferred onto an intermediate transfer member; a density correction section which executes density correction processing of the toner image forming in a case where a density value detected by the density detection section does not satisfy a predetermined condition; a toner remaining amount detector which detects a toner remaining amount of a toner accumulation section; and a determination section which determines that failure has occurred in the exposure section if the density value detected by the density detection section does not satisfy the predetermined condition after the density correction processing executed by the density correction section is terminated, and the toner remaining amount detected by the toner remaining amount detector is greater than a predetermined remaining amount.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a clock generator, an image sensor, a plurality of switches having a first switch and a second switch, a reader, a first controller, and a second controller. The clock generator generates a first clock signal having a first cycle and a second clock signal having a second cycle shorter than the first cycle. The image sensor detects an image formed on a document to generate an image signal. The image signal is inputted into the first switch and the second switch by rotation. The first switch and the second switch is capable of switching to simultaneously or alternately output the image signal in synchronization with the first clock. The reader reads the image signal outputted from the first switch and the second switch. The first controller controls the first switch to output the image signal to the reader during a first period and to control the second switch to output the image signal to the reader during a second period.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a condition determining device that calculates a deviation amount of image data from a normal condition and determines if the image forming apparatus is in an abnormal condition. An abnormal section specifying device specifies an abnormal section in the image forming apparatus based on a condition of the image forming apparatus. An image processing device executes image processing for abnormal use in accordance with an output of the abnormal section specifying device when the image data condition determining device determines that the image forming apparatus is in an abnormal condition. A service person call output device outputs a service person call signal indicative of calling a service person to a center when the image data condition determining device determines that the image forming apparatus is in an abnormal condition.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, to which apparatus a process cartridge is detachably mountable, wherein said process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum unit and a developing unit, wherein said photosensitive drum unit includes a photosensitive drum, and said developing unit is rotatably engageable with said photosensitive drum unit and includes a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on said photosensitive drum, and wherein said developing unit is movable between a contact position in which said developing roller is in contact to said photosensitive drum and a spaced position in which said developing roller is spaced from said photosensitive drum, said image forming apparatus including means for exposing said photosensitive drum with light through a transmission member to form the electrostatic latent image, wherein said exposure means is positioned below said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to a main assem

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a plurality of light emitting units, an activation unit, a plurality of light receiving units and a determination unit. The determination unit retrieves at least one output signal from the plurality of light receiving units in accordance with a predetermined retrieving procedure each time each of the plurality of light emitting units is activated, and determines, based on the at least one output signal, whether or not at least one of at least one of the plurality of light emitting units and at least one of the plurality of light receiving units is normal. The predetermined retrieving procedure is configured such that at least one output signal is retrieved from a part of the plurality of light receiving unite in response to an activation of at least one of the plurality of light emitting units.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a carrier; a forming device configured to form a mark on the carrier; a sensor including a light emitting device and a light receiving device, the light emitting device being configured to emit light toward the carrier, and the light receiving device being configured to receive light reflected from at least one of the carrier and the mark and output a light reception signal corresponding to a quantity of the received light; a determiner configured to determine a position of the mark on a basis of the light reception signal; a changer configured to change a sensor sensitivity of the sensor by changing at least one of a quantity of light emitted by the light emitting device and a sensitivity of the light receiving device; an evaluator configured to obtain the light reception signal a plurality of times and configured to evaluate a degree of closeness between an average level of the light reception signal obtained a plurality of times and a target level; and a controller conf

Abstract: A method of calibrating an electrophotographic printer (30), the printer configured with a plurality of light settings, each light setting arranged to produce a different element type, the method comprising: determining (S10) a first light level required to print a first element type by applying a proportional change to a first initial light setting; and determining (S30) a second light level required to print a second element type by applying substantially the same proportional change to a second initial light setting.

Abstract: An optical scanner includes a light source, a scan-deflecting portion including a resonance mirror to scan and deflect along a scan line, a plurality of light receiving sensors for synchronous detection provided on the scan line, a phase controller, an amplitude controller, and an offset controller. The phase controller obtains a difference between a true phase and a target phase, and generates a drive signal incorporating the difference between the true phase and the target phase. The amplitude controller incorporates the difference between a value equivalent of a true amplitude and a value equivalent of a target amplitude into the drive signal generated by the phase controller. The offset controller calculates an offset value by obtaining the difference between each of the time intervals, incorporates the difference between the offset value and a target offset value in the amplitude-controlled drive signal, and supply the drive signal to a driving device.

Abstract: An optical scanning device deflects a light beam emitted from a light source device by a vibrating mirror, scans a scanning surface with deflected light beam, and focuses the light beam onto the scanning surface by a scanning imaging optical system. The optical scanning device includes an offset detecting unit that detects an offset that is a deviation between a center of vibration amplitude of the vibrating mirror and a center of an optical scanning area and an adjusting unit that adjusts the center of the vibration amplitude when the offset detected by the offset detecting unit is larger than a predetermined value.

Abstract: An electrostatic latent image measuring device includes a charged particle optical system which irradiates an electron beam and charges a photoconductor sample, an exposure optical system which forms an electrostatic latent image on a surface of the photoconductor sample, and a scanning unit which scans the surface of the photoconductor sample by the electron beam, a distribution of the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the sample being measured by a signal detected by the scanning.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drawing device. A drawing component includes a stage and a drawing head. The drawing head draws on a recording medium supported by the stage. A moving component relatively moves the stage and the drawing head. A position detection component detects a relative position of the stage and the drawing head. An error detection component detects an abnormal state in which an abnormal drawing is performed on the recording medium. When the abnormal state is detected, a controller stops drawing with the drawing head and returns the relative position from the stop position to the position of the drawing start side, so that drawing may be resumed from a position within a predetermined range including the stop position.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus has an organic CMOS image sensor mounted in a base, and a photoreceptive surface of the image sensor is exposed on a top side of the base. A subject is placed directly on the photoreceptive surface, and the subject and the photoreceptive surface are covered up with a cover light-tightly. Thus the image sensor detects only chemiluminescent light from the subject. As for a fluorochrome-labeled subject, the subject placed directly on the photoreceptive surface is irradiated with excitation light from a light source mounted in the cover. The image sensor is provided with a filter for blocking the excitation light from its photoelectric conversion layers, so the image sensor detects only fluorescent rays generated from the excited fluorochrome-labeled subject. The image scanning apparatus needs no redundant space in perpendicular direction to the photoreceptive surface.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a scanning part for recording a plurality of unit images individually on a plurality of recording media, the plurality of unit images being to be superimposed on each other to form a single objective image. The scanning part causes the plurality of unit images to be in different positions. Defects appear in different positions of the plurality of unit images, and are prevented from coinciding with each other in the objective image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-propelled image read module, which comprises a sensor, a guide rod, a motor, a gear set, and a belt. The guide rod is fixed on a base of a scanner. The sensor is slidably matched on the guide rod. The motor is disposed at one side of the sensor. The gear set is connected to the motor. The belt is fixed on the base. The belt passes through between and contacts a transmission wheel and an idle wheel of the gear set. Thereby, a scanner's image read module of simple assembly, low cost, and small size is formed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a photosensitive member, an exposure device having a laser emitting element that irradiates a laser beam, the laser beam being scanned on the photosensitive member line by line to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member, a developing device that supplies a developing agent to the electrostatic latent image to form a visible image, and a controller that controls the laser emitting element to irradiate the laser beam in a predetermined light amount. The controller further controls the laser emitting element to irradiate the laser beam in a reduced light amount every at least one line.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a photosensitive member, an exposure device having a plurality of laser emitting elements that each irradiate a laser beam onto the photosensitive member to form an elactrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member, a developing device that supplies a developing agent to the electrostatic latent image to form a visible image, and a controller that controls the irradiation of the plurality of laser emitting elements. The controller includes a determining device that determines which laser emitting element from the plurality of laser emitting elements is closest to reaching its end of operating life and a restricting device that restricts the irradiation of the laser emitting element determined closest to reaching its end of operating life.

Abstract: When an engine test print switch specifies execution of an image forming operation test mode, a trouble state of a printer engine is detected. Based on the trouble state detection result, a driving operation of a main motor is varied, and a notice of the trouble state of the printer engine is issued, thereby easily discriminating trouble contents by using only the printer engine without any personal computer or another specific jig, etc. when the printer engine falls in a trouble state.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting an error in an image scanning device that obtains image data upon scanning a document by using a light of beam radiated from a lamp, including a setting operation of obtaining initial reference values of a light quantity of the lamp and storing the obtained initial reference values in a memory, a storing operation of measuring the light quantity of the lamp during use of an image scanning system, obtaining measured values for comparing with the initial reference values, and storing the measured values in the memory, and a comparing/determining operation of determining whether to check the error to represent the lamp or a contaminant in an optical path by comparing the initial reference values with the measured values.

Abstract: A pattern of a reticle is irradiated with excimer laser light to expose an image of the pattern of the reticle onto a wafer through a projection optical system. Driving elements for driving optical elements in the projection optical system and a transfer mechanism for transferring a pupil filter into the projection optical system are covered by covers to isolate the inside of the projection optical system from its outside. During exposure, helium gas is supplied to the inside of the projection optical system with a purity and a temperature of the helium gas being continuously monitored and the purity and the temperature of the helium gas in the projection optical system being maintained within a predetermined tolerance range based upon the monitored results.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a photosensitive member, an exposure device having a plurality of laser emitting elements that each irradiate a laser beam onto the photosensitive member to form an elactrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member, a developing device that supplies a developing agent to the electrostatic latent image to form a visible image, and a controller that controls the irradiation of the plurality of laser emitting elements. The controller includes a determining device that determines which laser emitting element from the plurality of laser emitting elements is closest to reaching its end of operating life and a restricting device that restricts the irradiation of the laser emitting element determined closest to reaching its end of operating life.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a photosensitive member, an exposure device having a laser emitting element that irradiates a laser beam, the laser beam being scanned on the photosensitive member line by line to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member, a developing device that supplies a developing agent to the electrostatic latent image to form a visible image, and a controller that controls the laser emitting element to irradiate the laser beam in a predetermined light amount. The controller further controls the laser emitting element to irradiate the laser beam in a reduced light amount every at least one line.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting an error in an image scanning device that obtains image data upon scanning a document by using a light of beam radiated from a lamp, including a setting operation of obtaining initial reference values of a light quantity of the lamp and storing the obtained initial reference values in a memory, a storing operation of measuring the light quantity of the lamp during use of an image scanning system, obtaining measured values for comparing with the initial reference values, and storing the measured values in the memory, and a comparing/determining operation of determining whether to check the error to represent the lamp or a contaminant in an optical path by comparing the initial reference values with the measured values.

Abstract: When an engine test print switch specifies execution of an image forming operation test mode, a trouble state of a printer engine is detected. Based on the trouble state detection result, a driving operation of a main motor is varied, and a notice of the trouble state of the printer engine is issued, thereby easily discriminating trouble contents by using only the printer engine without any personal computer or another specific jig, etc. when the printer engine falls in a trouble state.

Abstract: It is decided whether or not a light exposure lamp 5 burns out by comparing a light receiving output of a CCD 10 involved when a light exposing position of a light exposure lamp 5 corresponds to a white color reference sheet 13 with an initially set value.